Italian Sausage

[cintinative]

I have some italian sausage I portioned and froze last year (Sept 2009). I am thinking I need to toss it. Thoughts?

[3timesoccermom]

How about thawing a small portion and if it looks and smells ok at that point, pan-frying it to see if it still seems good?

I can't think of any reason I'd just automatically throw it out unless the freezer had been unreliable or it's freezer burnt.

[derketchup]

I'm pretty sure the standard for frozen sausage is 3-4 months, after which time the taste really starts to degrade.

[rrpate]

if it does not smell bad. i would if in links squeeze it out and fry it up, throw in a big pot of soup.... or mix with burger into a meat loaf... that way if it has lost a bit of taste it will be masked any way.... i have done this with older than that italian sausage... no one said any thing but mmmm this is good!

[cintinative]

I was going to use it in a soup. Hmm. . . might try it and see how it goes. =)

[lmcconne]

I must be in the minority. If it was wrapped "well", I've used sausage a good deal older from the freezer. I tend to ignore the use by charts. I do agree that if you cook a bit and try it, then all systems go.

[aimeebee]

Yeah, I've eaten older than that and lived to tell about it. I can be the adventurous type, sometimes. If it is freezer burned or crystalized, I'd chuck it, but if not...I would also fry it up and see if it looked or smelled funny. If it seems okay, I'd go for it.

I figure the most that would happen would be a free colon cleansing, if it was too far gone. That hasn't ever happened to me yet, though.