Olive-Stuffed Sausage

I adapted this recipe from the Paleo Comfort Foods cookbook. I am not a fan of green olives, but for some reason, when they’re wrapped in sausage they strike my fancy! I made these for a snack the other day for the kids and I. They all approved. *Note to self (and anyone else who may not think about things thoroughly all the time…): Make sure you buy pitted green olives–these are hard to eat when you have to munch around a pit! The first time I made these, I made that mistake. The kids liked them a lot better being able to freely bite into them. =)

Recipe: Olive-stuffed sausage

2 pounds ground pork sausage

1 tsp red pepper flakes (if you don’t care for spicy, cut this in 1/2)

10 oz jar pitted green olives (something like THIS is fine–just make sure to read those ingredients. You don’t want any junk added)

1 TBSP tomato paste

Combine all ingredients except olives in a bowl…with your hands. Scoop out a few tablespoons of sausage and form into a ball in your hand. Smash flat-ish and press a green olive into the center. Mold the sausage around the olive until it is completely covered and in the shape of a ball. Set aside and repeat until you have used up all the sausage.

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and place the balls into pan.

Cover with lid and cook for 4-5 minutes. Turn over and cover with lid again for about 2 minutes. Take lid off and cook for another 3-4 minutes, so the liquid evaporates and you get a nice brown color on the bottom of each ball. Remove to a paper towel-covered plate and let cool for a few minutes before you bite into the flavorful goodness. Don’t wanna burn those taste buds!