Saveloy facts for kids

A saveloy is a special kind of sausage, usually bright red. It's often boiled and you can find it in fish and chip shops, especially in places like London and the Midlands in the UK. Sometimes, it's even fried in a crispy batter. People also enjoy saveloys in a sandwich called a "Sav Dip." For this, the bun is dipped in the hot water where the saveloy was boiled, or in gravy, often with some stuffing and pease pudding.

What's in a Saveloy?

Long ago, saveloys were actually made from pig brains! But today, the saveloys you buy in shops are mostly made from pork (about 58%). They also contain water, rusk (a type of breadcrumb), pork fat, and potato starch. Other ingredients include salt, spices like white pepper and dried sage, and special ingredients to keep them fresh. They are wrapped in a casing made from beef collagen.

Saveloys are most often eaten with chips.

Where Did the Name Come From?

The word "saveloy" comes from an old French word, cervelas. This word originally came from an old Italian word, cervellato, which meant "pig's brains." The word "saveloy" was first used in the English language in 1784.

Saveloys Down Under: Australia and New Zealand

Saveloys are also popular in Australia and New Zealand. There, you often see them at fairs, festivals, and sports events. They are usually deep-fried in batter and called a "battered sav."

In these countries, saveloys are bigger than the ones in England. In Australia, they are usually a mix of beef and pork. In New Zealand, they are often a blend of lamb, pork, and beef. While you can buy them at fish-and-chip shops, many people buy them from butchers or supermarkets and cook them at home by boiling. People in both countries often call them "savs" for short.

A popular snack in New Zealand is a "hot dog" which is a battered saveloy on a stick, similar to a US corn dog. In Australia, this is often called a "dagwood dog" or "pluto pup." Another Australian version, the "battered sav," is made with wheat flour batter and no stick.

In South Australia, especially in the past, a "sav and roll" was a popular snack at football games. It was simply a saveloy heated in a boiler, placed in a split bread roll, and covered with tomato sauce.

Smaller Saveloys: Cocktail Sausages

There's also a smaller version of the saveloy, about a quarter of its size, called a "cocktail sausage." In Australia, these are sometimes called "baby savs," "footy franks," or "little boys." In New Zealand and Queensland, they are called "cheerios." These small sausages are a favorite party food for children in New Zealand and Australia, often served warm with tomato sauce.

Saveloys in the United Kingdom

Saveloys have even appeared in famous stories! In the book The Pickwick Papers, a character named Solomon Pell is described eating a saveloy. Fagin also eats a saveloy in Oliver Twist. The saveloy is even mentioned in the song "Food, Glorious Food" from the 1968 musical film Oliver!.

Saveloys in the United States

In the state of Maine in the United States, there's a type of hot dog that looks very much like a saveloy. It's known as a "red hot" or "red snapper." Just like in the UK, it's usually grilled or boiled.

See also

In Spanish: Saveloy para niños