A good sausage and pepper sandwich hits hard. Sweet marinara, melty provolone, and that excellent Italian sausage. But what makes Italian sausage…Italian? Is it actually Italian, or has it evolved into something entirely its own? Grab some mustard and let’s find out. 

Italy has been making sausages since centurions walked the streets of Rome and there is a huge variety of Italian sausages that are actually from the country. But when we think of Italian sausage in America, we think of the product that is labeled as such in the grocery store: thick, pinkish-red links that are generously spiced.