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February 16, 2023

The Local Meat Snack Popping Up in Madison Bars

City Cast Madison

The Local Meat Snack Popping Up in Madison Bars

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“It’s fermented, cured, delicious, and often misunderstood and mispronounced.”

So says Jesse Brookstein, author of A Perfect Pair: The History of Landjaeger in Green County, Wisconsin.

They may look like beef jerky, but Jesse’s referring to the pairs of smoked, fermented sausages that hang in many bars around southern Wisconsin. The high-protein snack enjoyed by Swiss and German immigrants of the past century has found fans among many thirsty bar-hoppers in Madison today. Jesse’s here to tell us why this salty meat snack is showing up all over. (And yes, it’s LON-yay-grrr.)

🍖 Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers.

Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram

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