Goetta

We had never even heard of goetta (pronounced get-uh) until we came to Cincinnati. Its one of those recipes where every person has their own family recipe and theirs is the best. There are goetta festivals a couple of times a year too. Goetta was concocted by Northern German immigrants settling in the Cincinnati area prior to the 1900's. The flavor is hearty and a little nutty, but not spicy or sagey like breakfast sausage. Its traditionally cooked like a sausage patty. We prefer to break it up into sausage-like crumbles. This recipe comes from our friend, Mrs. Iott. She tweaked a classic recipe to make it less greasy.

NOTE: Pinhead oats are also called Irish oats or steel cut oats. The oats are cut into pieces instead of rolled flat. I find mine in the bulk section of the health food store or in small packages in some grocery stores in the cereal aisle.

Goetta
4 cups water
3 cups pinhead oats
2 tsp seasoned salt
pinch pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
5 beef bouillon cubes
4 bay leaves
1 medium onion, finely chopped OR 3 Tbsp dehydrated chopped onion
1 lb ground pork (I use tenderloin)
1 to 1 1/4 lb 90% lean ground beef
Place water, oats, salt, pepper, garlic powder, bouillon cubes, and bay leaves into a crock pot. Mix well and cook for 1 1/2 hours on high. Remove the bay leaves and discard. Add ground beef, ground pork, and onion. Stir well. Cover and cook 7 hours on low. Divide hot goetta into 2 greased loaf pans. Press down and let cool about 20 minutes. Cover and place loaf pans in the refrigerator overnight. Remove goetta loaves from pans and slice into 1 1/2 inch slices. Form the slice into a patty. Wrap individually and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before serving, or freeze.

When ready to serve...(thaw goetta patties, if frozen). Heat a non stick skillet. Don't add extra fat...there's enough in the goetta. Cook goetta patty about 5 minutes until browned & slightly crispy. Flip and cook another 5 minutes. Slide onto a plate.

Goetta is similar to the consistency of breakfast sausage, but doesn't hold together as firmly. Serve hot.
One slice serves 1 or 2 people.