Butifarra Soledeña

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I-am-Chorizo

Smoke Blower
Original poster
Apr 5, 2024
132
272
Colombia
Quick Briefing:
In the northern region of colombia, there is a small municipality called "SOLEDAD" that literally tranlates "SOLITUDE" in English. Soledad is not a very developed town, in fact, most neighbors make fun of Soledad's high crime rates, political corruption, India-like transportation habits and for (allegedly) having the highest percentage of gay population in the Department. However, there is one thing this town is proud of; BUTIFARRAS.

Butifarras Soledeñas are a kind of small round snack-oriented sausages made of lean beef and pork, mainly seasoned with black pepper and garlic. Due to their small size, they are sold in machine gun Bullet-like rounds and you buy by the dozen. Original Butifarras are usually sold in the street by a "Butifarrero" who has become a cultural character in the town. A butifarrero wears a white lab coat and carries a metallic bucket full of Burifarras, he wanders around the city making noise with his very own selling cry: -Buti, Buti, Buti!-.
It is reasonable to think that Butifarras are a direct product of the Spanish influence in the region, but most Soledad inhabitants would rather solve the matter via punches and kicks than allowing such blasphemous ideas be considered, for them, Butifarras are a Town Invention...for you guys...the Recipe.

BUTIFARRA RECIPE (1KG)

500grs lean beef
500grs pork shoulder (or a fattier cut if you prefer)
15 grs salt
3 tsp of coarsely ground black pepper
1/2 tsp finely ground cummin
2 tsp garlic powder
1.6 grs cure#1 (cure here is sold at 12% concentration)

PROCEDURE
1. Grind the beef and pork
2. Add salt, cure and the rest of the seasonings
3. Mix and incorporate everything
4. Stuff into natural casings
5. Tie up every butifarra every two fingers (as if fingers were a measure) with a string.
6. Cook in hot water for about 12-15 minutes or until butifarras reach the well known 68-70 C°
7. Cold shower...rest...eat

HOW TO EAT BUTIFARRAS AND OTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
1. Butifarras are peeled off, people here do not eat the casing. The traditional way is to make a cut in the center, peel the skin, add lemon and/or hot sauce and eat as many as you wish.
2. Concepts such as smoking and curing are unknown here to the average butifarra producer and not used in the traditional process. Of course there are industrial made butifarras and they taste like crap.
3. I imagine that butifarras might benefit from curing and smoking but until you guys do so and share your results, it is a matter of debate. I cure them ang sometimes grill them to the horror of my friends and acquaintances.
4. The original product has a characteristic gray tone, I am afraid curing and smoking might affect this cannonic feature.

I am making a batch right now...will post more photos later.
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What an interesting post! I would have love to of seen these cut open exposing the meat inside. Hell, I'd try one for sure!

Worked with some guys years ago from Bucaramanga & Medellin. The guy from Bucaramanga used to talk about the ants they cooked in butter. He said they were very good. I also used to trade them various American beers in exchange for Sello Rojo whole beans.
 
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Those sound like they may be right tasty meatballs, especially grilled or smoked.

Your recipe states to cook till 68°C - 70°C or 154.5°F - 158°F.
Those temps are not generally considered safe for ground pork or beef.
When it comes to cooking ground pork or beef, it’s important to ensure that it reaches a safe internal temperature to kill any bacteria and ensure it’s safe to eat.
The recommended cooking temperature for ground pork or beef is 160°F (71°C). This temperature is considered safe by the USDA and ensures that the pork or beef is fully cooked and safe to eat.
It’s important to use a meat thermometer to accurately measure the internal temperature of the pork to make sure it reaches the recommended temperature.

I'm taking it the your abbreviation of "grs" is meant to convey gram(s).
The most commonly accepted singular or plural abbreviation is simply "g", but "gm" is sometimes used too.
 
Very interesting! I'd definitely give them a try! Look forward to more pics for sure. Your cooking set up is pretty cool also.

Those sound like they may be right tasty meatballs, especially grilled or smoked.

Your recipe states to cook till 68°C - 70°C or 154.5°F - 158°F.
Those temps are not generally considered safe for ground pork or beef.
When it comes to cooking ground pork or beef, it’s important to ensure that it reaches a safe internal temperature to kill any bacteria and ensure it’s safe to eat.
The recommended cooking temperature for ground pork or beef is 160°F (71°C). This temperature is considered safe by the USDA and ensures that the pork or beef is fully cooked and safe to eat.
It’s important to use a meat thermometer to accurately measure the internal temperature of the pork to make sure it reaches the recommended temperature.

I'm taking it the your abbreviation of "grs" is meant to convey gram(s).
The most commonly accepted singular or plural abbreviation is simply "g", but "gm" is sometimes used too.
At the temps stated the meat would only have to be at 154 degrees F for 21 seconds, and at 158 degrees F for 0 seconds for a 5 log reduction . Just a short time longer for a 7 log reduction... I think Dave Omak said 20 % longer.

Ryan
 
Very interesting! I'd definitely give them a try! Look forward to more pics for sure. Your cooking set up is pretty cool also.


At the temps stated the meat would only have to be at 154 degrees F for 21 seconds, and at 158 degrees F for 0 seconds for a 5 log reduction . Just a short time longer for a 7 log reduction... I think Dave Omak said 20 % longer.

Ryan
Here are a few pics more. I think I missed important photos of the process but I am sure this recipe is no challenge for you guys.
 

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What an interesting post! I would have love to of seen these cut open exposing the meat inside. Hell, I'd try one for sure!

Worked with some guys years ago from Bucaramanga & Medellin. The guy from Bucaramanga used to talk about the ants they cooked in butter. He said they were very good. I also used to trade them various American beers in exchange for Sello Rojo whole beans.
Interesting! Yeah, the ants are a very (I'd say extremely) local delicacy from Bucaramanga. Sello Rojo is a staple brand here, however, it surprises me the "Whole beans" presentation...are we talking about coffee?
 
Interesting. Sounds good and nice basic seasoning. Love to try it sometime. What is the purpose of the cure if you boil or grill right away and dont allow cure to work?
You are right...I think I should have left Cure#1 out of this business but wasn't too convinced. I cooked everything and packed right away after the cold shower because I thought cure #1 would give butifarras a pink color that in this particular recipe is totally undesired.
 
Interesting process. Very time consuming and tedious to tie that close together. The casings would have to be stuffed very loose to allow for such close ties.

Do you eat these only as snacks? Or do you use them in cooking meals as well?
 
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Interesting process. Very time consuming and tedious to tie that close together. The casings would have to be stuffed very loose to allow for such close ties.

Do you eat these only as snacks? Or do you use them in cooking meals as well?
It really is...Quite demoralizing if you get to make hundreds of them :emoji_joy:

It is mostly a social street snack, they are sold in corners and people stand in front of the butifarra stall eating and talking or if a butifarrero happens to pass by, you eat a service of butifarras and exchange small talk with him. Butifarreros are rough opinionated guys ready to enter any discussion.
 
Thanks for sharing the recipe and history.
I'm sure the legacy of making these predates the Spanish and Portuguese invasion.
...
3 tsp of coarsely ground black pepper
1/2 tsp finely ground cummin
2 tsp garlic powder
...
Black pepper, cumin, and garlic are from Asia and Mediterranean origins. Those are what we call Post Columbus meaning 1600's when east meets west in the spice trade.
Central and south America spread chili peppers, tomatoes, corn and potatoes to the rest of the world.
You are right...I think I should have left Cure#1 out of this business but wasn't too convinced. I cooked everything and packed right away after the cold shower because I thought cure #1 would give butifarras a pink color that in this particular recipe is totally undesired.
Cure #1 will always result in a pink color in the meat.
Leave out the nitrite (cure #1) and fully cook to 160°F or 72°C
 
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Reactions: I-am-Chorizo
Quick Briefing:
In the northern region of colombia, there is a small municipality called "SOLEDAD" that literally tranlates "SOLITUDE" in English. Soledad is not a very developed town, in fact, most neighbors make fun of Soledad's high crime rates, political corruption, India-like transportation habits and for (allegedly) having the highest percentage of gay population in the Department. However, there is one thing this town is proud of; BUTIFARRAS.

Butifarras Soledeñas are a kind of small round snack-oriented sausages made of lean beef and pork, mainly seasoned with black pepper and garlic. Due to their small size, they are sold in machine gun Bullet-like rounds and you buy by the dozen. Original Butifarras are usually sold in the street by a "Butifarrero" who has become a cultural character in the town. A butifarrero wears a white lab coat and carries a metallic bucket full of Burifarras, he wanders around the city making noise with his very own selling cry: -Buti, Buti, Buti!-.
It is reasonable to think that Butifarras are a direct product of the Spanish influence in the region, but most Soledad inhabitants would rather solve the matter via punches and kicks than allowing such blasphemous ideas be considered, for them, Butifarras are a Town Invention...for you guys...the Recipe.

BUTIFARRA RECIPE (1KG)

500grs lean beef
500grs pork shoulder (or a fattier cut if you prefer)
15 grs salt
3 tsp of coarsely ground black pepper
1/2 tsp finely ground cummin
2 tsp garlic powder
1.6 grs cure#1 (cure here is sold at 12% concentration)

PROCEDURE
1. Grind the beef and pork
2. Add salt, cure and the rest of the seasonings
3. Mix and incorporate everything
4. Stuff into natural casings
5. Tie up every butifarra every two fingers (as if fingers were a measure) with a string.
6. Cook in hot water for about 12-15 minutes or until butifarras reach the well known 68-70 C°
7. Cold shower...rest...eat

HOW TO EAT BUTIFARRAS AND OTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
1. Butifarras are peeled off, people here do not eat the casing. The traditional way is to make a cut in the center, peel the skin, add lemon and/or hot sauce and eat as many as you wish.
2. Concepts such as smoking and curing are unknown here to the average butifarra producer and not used in the traditional process. Of course there are industrial made butifarras and they taste like crap.
3. I imagine that butifarras might benefit from curing and smoking but until you guys do so and share your results, it is a matter of debate. I cure them ang sometimes grill them to the horror of my friends and acquaintances.
4. The original product has a characteristic gray tone, I am afraid curing and smoking might affect this cannonic feature.

I am making a batch right now...will post more photos later.
View attachment 713595
View attachment 713596
I bet those are amazing, and I love your photos.
I'm a complete sucker for regional foods with a deep history, I marked your recipe to try.

Thank you for sharing.
Dan.
 
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