Sausage sizzle facts for kids
A sausage sizzle served with onions and tomato sauce
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| Course | Snack |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Australia |
| Associated national cuisine | Australia, New Zealand |
| Main ingredients | Sausage, Sliced bread |
A sausage sizzle is a popular snack and community event in Australia and New Zealand. It's basically a grilled or barbecued sausage served in a piece of sliced bread or a hot dog bun. People often add grilled onions and sauces like tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, or mustard.
Sausage sizzles are a big part of the culture in both countries. They are often held at community gatherings. The name "sausage sizzle" became common in the 1980s. It describes the food, how it's cooked, and the event itself. These events are usually free or raise money for good causes. This includes charities, schools, and sports clubs. Ingredients are often bought cheaply or donated. Fundraising sausage sizzles are especially famous during elections in Australia. They are also linked to the hardware store Bunnings Warehouse.
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What is a Sausage Sizzle?
Most sausage sizzles sell a pork or beef sausage. In Australia, people sometimes call a sausage a "snag." The sausage is cooked on a grill or barbecue. It's usually served on one slice of white bread. In Western Australia, it might be served on a hotdog roll instead.
Popular Toppings and Sides
Tomato sauce is the most common topping. It's usually free. Other sauces like barbecue sauce and American mustard are also often available. Grilled onions are a popular addition. They might be free or cost a little extra. Some places offer a white bread roll instead of sliced bread.
Other Food Options
Sometimes, you might find vegetarian or gluten-free options. These are more common at events with bigger menus. These menus might include hamburgers or full meals. To help raise more money, Soft drink cans or bottled water are also often sold.
Where Do You Find Sausage Sizzles?
Sausage sizzles are very common in Australia and New Zealand. They are a familiar sight at many different events.
Sausage Sizzles at Australian Elections
Sausage sizzles are a well-known part of voting days in Australia. Sausages sold at polling places are even called 'Democracy Sausages'. This tradition got a lot of attention in 2013 and during the 2016 Australian federal election. The hashtag '#democracysausage' was very popular on Twitter. Twitter even added a sausage-in-bread emoji for the 2016 election. It was the most used emoji related to the election.
Sausage Sizzles at Bunnings Warehouse
The Australian hardware store Bunnings lets community groups use its barbecue areas. Sausage sizzles at Bunnings stores usually happen on weekends. They have become a big part of the Bunnings brand. When Bunnings expanded to the United Kingdom in 2016, many wondered if they would bring the sausage sizzle tradition with them. They did bring it to some locations!
