Cabanossi
Cabanossi /ˌkæbəˈnɒsi/, also spelled kabanosy, is a type of dry Polish sausage, similar to a mild salami. It is generally made from beef and pork, with recognisable pieces of bacon, lightly seasoned and then smoked. It traditionally comes in the form of a long, thin sausage, about 30 cm (12 in) long, and 2 cm (0.79 in) in diameter. Variations include chicken & duck cabanossi. Versions made of chicken and turkey are a staple in kosher meat markets and delicatessens.
Serving
It is commonly cut into bite sized chunks and eaten cold as an appetiser or snack, often with cubes of cheese and crackers. Small sized cabanossi, called mini-cabanossi are also available. Sliced cabanossi is also a popular pizza topping.
Name
The origin of the cabanossi sausage and its name are uncertain. The name of the sausage possibly stems from the word "Cabanos", the cabin of a ship where the crew and supplies were kept. Dried sausages have been a staple part of ship and military provisions since ancient times.
Distribution
The cabanossi sausage is mostly found in southern and eastern European countries from the Adriatic Sea to the Baltic states, and is also very popular in Australia and New Zealand, where the sausage is one of the most prevalent dried sausages. In central Europe, the cabanossi is mostly consumed as a snack.