Today I would like to write about a particularly nasty element to the braai, known as "Boerewors", "Boerrie" or simply "Wors". The name translated means "Farmers Sausage".
Now this used to be one of the really nice elements of the braai, succulent, spicy and juicy. I remember when I was young and living in Stellenbosch that there were two Tannies (Aunts) who used to make boerewors once a year for the Church Fete. It was so superb that people used to queue up from 5.30am to get it and it was always sold out within an hour of the doors opening at 8.00am. The Wors was so good that it was a meal on its own and you would rather eat it than the usual lamb chops at the braai. "Sigh" how things have changed!
Nowadays Wors is regarded as a "Filler Upper" so that you are not still hungry at the end of the meal. If you ever go into a butchery department of your local supermarket and watch the butcher cutting up a carcass, he has a large white plastic container on the floor next to him, into which he throws all the excess fat and other inedible bits. Do you think that these are going to be thrown away? No ways, they are the ingredients for the next batch of Boerewors!! My friend, Neil always jokes "Foreskins and Eyelashes" are the main ingredients of Wors these days. Along with a huge amount of fat.
Now the only way to cook this abomination is to braai the hell out of it so that all the fat runs out. You end up with a dry, still greasy and tasteless mess. Antacid tablets are a must after eating this stuff. Seriously, this rubbish can kill you.
I have heard that things are different in the Northern Part of the country,where the making of Boerewors is still an art. However, sadly, here in the Cape, most of what I have written definitely applies.
Alex
ReplyDeleteI think you still live in Tableview, if this is correct or if you ever find yourself in this area pop into the butcher on the corner of De Goede circle. His boerewors is really good, looks like a generic run off from P&P but the taste and flavor is off this planet.
His Kaas Wors as well when he has it is great. I travel from Langebaan once a month to buy a whole lamb and all sorts from him. Has his own farms and selects his meat carefully.
Cheers
Gareth
We've also tried some of the so called "wors" from the local supermarkets, and it's really not nice at all. We visited my dad in Colesberg, and he got some VERY nice wors from De Aar, which we enjoyed thoroughly! I even considered going to De Aar, buying like a 100kg's of Wors from the guy, and selling it here in the Cape...
ReplyDeleteGareth - thanks for the tip, will definitely give them a try!
Hi Gareth.
ReplyDeleteI know this butcher well. His meat is good. However I have nicknamed him "Mr Happy" because he is such a miserable sod.
I enjoy going into his shop and digging around in his fridges to wind him up while watching the doos out of the corner of my eye with smoke coming out of his ears and a scowl on his face. I usually then walk out without buying anything.