After living in Chicago for several years, one of my favorite condiments is giardiniera. Available hot or mild, these pickled vegetables add a delicious “bite” to sandwiches and pastas. It especially pairs well with green vegetables like kale and spinach (my two favorite veggies!).
This sandwich is quick and easy and extremely comforting without being too filling. While sweet Italian sausage is good on its own, I add garlic, onion and kale for added nutrition. The filling is placed on crusty whole wheat bread which is perfect to soak up all that flavor. If you happen to have any leftovers (not likely), this is even better re-heated the next day.
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion and cook until slightly golden, 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Add sausage and thyme and cook until no longer pink. Transfer to a bowl.
4. Add the additional tablespoon of olive oil and chopped kale to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute, then add chicken broth. Cook kale for an additional 3 minutes.
5. Add sausage mixture back to the skillet and stir to combine.
6. Slice bread in half lengthwise and remove some of the bread from the inside to create room for more filling.
7. Spread giardiniera onto both sides of the bread.
8. Fill one side with pork mixture and top with parmesan cheese. Place sandwich on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.
9. Slice into 4 pieces and serve hot.
Pair with soup!
Sweet Italian Sausage & Kale Sub with Giardiniera
Serves 4
All you need:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 yellow onion, diced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 pound sweet Italian sausage
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 bunch kale, stemmed and chopped
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 crusty whole wheat bakery bread loaf
2 tablespoons hot or mild giardiniera
2 tablespoons shredded parmesan cheese
All you do:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion and cook until slightly golden, 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Add sausage and thyme and cook until no longer pink. Transfer to a bowl.
4. Add the additional tablespoon of olive oil and chopped kale to the skillet. Cook until for 1 minute, then add the chicken broth. Cook kale for an additional 3 minutes.
5. Add the sausage mixture back to the skillet and stir to combine.
6. Slice the bread in half lengthwise and remove some of the bread from the inside to create room for more filling.
7. Spread giardiniera onto both sides of the bread.
8. Fill one side with the pork mixture and top with parmesan cheese. Place sandwich on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.
9. Slice into 4 pieces and serve hot.