Italian Grinders

Italian Sausage Grinders

Who doesn't love a good brat/sausage slathered in Italian sauce and cheese for a game-day food option? An added bonus is any leftover sauce can be used for your next spaghetti meal. The recipe makes 6 grinders with some leftover sauce.  

Did you know?

Grinder is a variety of a submarine sandwich and it is especially popular in New England. The sandwich consists of a long roll that resembles Italian bread, but the interior is much chewier and the exterior is crustier. The roll is sliced halfway and filled with olive oil, sliced ham, turkey, salami, or prosciutto, provolone cheese, tomatoes, and lettuce.

The lettuce should always be shredded for a real New England grinder, while the tomatoes and onions should be sliced paper thin. After the sandwich has been filled, it is sometimes dressed with vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper. Today, any kind of hot or cold sandwich is often called a grinder if it is served on a grinder roll.
It is believed that the sandwich got its name after the fact that people had to grind their teeth while chewing the crusty bread.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. Sweet Italian Sausage or Brat
• 1-14 oz. can of diced tomatoes with Garlic, Basil and Oregano
• 1 -24 oz. jar of Marinara sauce (I used Rao) 
• 1/2 teaspoon each of dried basil, parsley flakes, Italian seasoning and sugar
• 1 teaspoon good quality balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Hoagie buns
• Provolone cheese slices
• 1-1/2 cups diced onions and mini red/yellow peppers 

Directions:

• Make the sauce the day before or several hours ahead for flavors to meld.
• In a large saucepan add diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, spices, sugar, and vinegar, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook uncovered for one hour. Keep warm until ready to use. 
• Dice onions and peppers.
• On a large piece of foil add sausage, onions, and peppers-transfer foil onto the grill or place foil on the baking sheet in the oven. 
• Cook brats/sausage until the desired doneness. If using the oven cook for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
• Place each sausage/brat in a bun, spoon sauce over meat, add cheese, and place on a foil-covered baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees until cheese melts, less than 5 minutes.  
  

A quick appetizer for Game Day Maple Dijon Sausage Appetizer

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