Name: Spicy Rhubarb Chipotle Sausage
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 2 h 10 min
Total time: 3 h 10 min
Yield: 30
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 2 cups rhubarb, cut into 1/2-inch pieces; 1 (7 ounce) can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce; 0.25 cup ruby port wine; 2 tablespoons white sugar; 5 pounds ground pork; 2 teaspoons salt, or to taste; 2 teaspoons ground black pepper, or to taste; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 30 dried corn husks, or as needed; kitchen twine

A symphony of sweet and spicy, these sausages marry the tangy brightness of rhubarb with the smoky heat of chipotle. Whether smoked to perfection or pan-fried for a quick indulgence, prepare for a flavor explosion that will redefine your sausage expectations.

Follow The Directions

01

Step

15 mins

In a saucepan, combine rhubarb, chipotle peppers with adobo sauce, ruby port wine, and sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until the rhubarb is tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

02

Step

5 mins

Transfer the rhubarb-chipotle mixture to a blender and process until smooth. In a large bowl, place the ground pork. Pour in 2/3 of the blended sauce and mix thoroughly to combine. Season with salt and black pepper.

03

Step

10 mins

Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Form approximately 2 tablespoons of the pork mixture into a small patty. Pan-fry the patty until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Taste and adjust the seasoning of the uncooked pork mixture by adding the remaining rhubarb-chipotle sauce, salt, and black pepper to taste (do not taste uncooked pork).

04

Step

2 hrs

Soak corn husks in warm water in a large bowl until softened, about 10 minutes. Preheat a smoker to 250 to 275 degrees F (120 to 135 degrees C) and add wood chips to the smoker.

05

Step

Scoop up about 1/3 cup to a scant 1/2 cup of the seasoned pork mixture and shape it into a sausage. Place the sausage into a soaked corn husk and tie the ends with twine to seal. If the husk is too narrow, use two husks per sausage. Repeat with the remaining husks and pork mixture.

06

Step

Place the sausages in the preheated smoker. Smoke until fully cooked and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the thickest sausage reaches 160 degrees F (70 degrees C), approximately 2 hours.

For a richer flavor, consider using a high-quality smoked paprika in the spice blend.
If you don't have a smoker, these sausages can be baked in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 30-40 minutes, or until cooked through.
Adjust the amount of chipotle peppers to control the level of spiciness. For a milder flavor, remove the seeds from the chipotle peppers before blending.
These sausages are excellent served with a dollop of sour cream or a vibrant salsa verde.