Every Christmas for several years I've given my kids some smoked Kielbasa as the family presents. In following my parents tradition I don't give individual gifts to the kids but I do give the grand kids their own gifts.
I've always done the sausage in large hog guts but decided this year to use the mahogany colored collagen casings just to change things up a bit.
I usually keep a heavy hickory smoke going which is about 4-5 pans of wet chips but I only used two since the sausage was so much thinner. Of course it took far less time to get them smoked and up to proper temp. I've taste tested them and have my approval.
Here's the piles ready for vacuum packaging. They're right at 2.75 Lbs in two for my two kids that have two children and 2 Lbs in the third as my son and his girlfriend don't have kids yet. The sausage on the paper plate is what dad gets to keep.
Attachment 280471
I'll have the smoker going again tomorrow or the next day as I need to get somethings done and ready for New Years Day. I'm having a 'snaking meal' with different finger foods.
Thanks For Looking! :tu