Street Food
Sheftalia (Grilled Sausage Skewers)
Ingredients
- - Ground pork — 400 g (14 oz)
- - Onion, finely grated — 1 medium
- - Fresh parsley, chopped — 3 tbsp
- - Dried mint — 1 tsp
- - Salt — 1 tsp
- - Black pepper — 1/2 tsp
- - Caul fat, rinsed (or thin pork casing as substitute) — 200 g (7 oz)
- - Pita bread, warmed, for serving — 4
Method
- Combine ground pork, onion, parsley, dried mint, salt and pepper in a bowl and mix thoroughly.
- Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and shape each into a short, fat sausage.
- Cut caul fat into squares large enough to wrap each sausage fully, then wrap each one snugly.
- Thread wrapped sausages onto skewers if grilling over charcoal, or arrange directly on a grill pan.
- Grill over medium-high heat for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the caul fat renders and the sausages are cooked through and lightly charred.
- Serve hot, wrapped in warm pita bread with salad and talattouri.
Introduction: Sheftalia are minced meat parcels traditionally wrapped in caul fat instead of a casing, then grilled over
charcoal until crisp outside and juicy within.
Cultural Background: Sheftalia are minced meat parcels traditionally wrapped in caul fat instead of a casing, then grilled over
charcoal until crisp outside and juicy within. Sold from street grills and taverna charcoal pits across the
island, they are a Cypriot answer to sausage that predates the widespread use of natural gut casings
locally.
Variations: Not vegetarian. No authentic vegetarian or vegan version exists for this meat-based street food.
Storage: Refrigerate cooked sheftalia up to 3 days in an airtight container.
Reheating: Reheat on a hot grill pan or under a grill for 2-3 minutes per side until warmed through.
Nutrition: Per serving (2 pieces): ~340 kcal, 20g protein, 26g fat, 4g carbohydrate.
FAQs
Q: Where can I find caul fat?
A: Specialty butchers or Middle Eastern/Mediterranean grocers often stock caul fat by request.
Q: Is this dish gluten-free?
A: Yes, the sausage itself is gluten-free; check that any accompanying pita is appropriate if needed.