Braunschweiger

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Braunschweiger (named after Braunschweig, Germany) is a type of liverwurst (pork liver sausage), which is nearly always smoked.

Braunschweiger is very rich, and has a very high amount of Vitamin A, iron and protein. For casual use in most households, it is better to buy a small amount, since braunschweiger spoils quickly.

The meat has a very soft, spread-like texture and a distinctive liver-based flavor. It is usually used as a spread for toast, but can also be used as a filling for sandwiches, often paired with stone-ground mustard, sliced tomatoes and cheese. There are also a few recipes for pâté and cheese balls which use braunschweiger as a primary ingredient.

Because of its teutonic name and strong flavor, in the United States braunschweiger is often used as a humorous reference to German culture. For example in his 1993 comedy Last Action Hero, Arnold Schwarzenegger's character, Jack Slater, refers to himself as "famous comedian Arnold Braunschweiger," this is a double joke because of the sausages heavy preserved pork content and the concept of a "ham" as an entertainer who is over the top. Another example of the word braunschweiger standing as a signifier of German ethnic identity is in The Straight Story, Rose Straight buys a large amount of braunschweiger for her father Alvin's trip.