Vegan Kielbasa

18 Feb '04

Posted by: ryan in: Food

This weekend I got my first taste of Tofurky’s new vegan kielbasa. Being half-Polish, I’ve tasted a few kielbasas in my time and while I haven’t been itching for them since I became vegetarian, I was certainly interested in trying these puppies out.

Interestingly, all of the new Tofurky sausages are designed to be used on a grill. I heated mine in a microwave since my grill is currently in my basement waiting for a thaw before it finds its way back into my backyard. The spices are well balanced and the texture is pretty close to the real thing, though perhaps a bit more compressed. It was tasty and filling on its own, but I think that this will really shine on a roll with some sauerkraut. Healthwise, it’s not too bad: though it has a fair amount of sodium and is far from low-cal, it’s got no cholesterol (it’s vegan, so of course it’s got no cholesterol!), 26 grams of protein, 8% of the RDA for calcium, and 10% of the RDA for iron.

Also in the fridge, just waiting to be tried: the Tofurky beerbrats and sweet Italian sausage.

Vegan kielbasa… it’s getting easier and easier to go vegetarian.

RSS feed for comments on this post

13 Responses

px
23|Feb|2004 1

do you guys watch television? do you realize that these products start out as a starchy, disgusting-looking dough-type product? i’d rather eat cheese food.
Ryan
23|Feb|2004 2

Boy, somebody’s feeling snarky today.

I don’t quite understand what about that is a revelation… sure, we all realize that processed foods are… processed. But I’d rather eat processed vegan food than processed meat. Significantly less disgusting.
Asterix
26|Feb|2004 3

So, bread starts out as a starchy, dough-type product. And, there’s muffins and dosas and mashed potatos with celeriac… I could go on.

While you’re eating your cheese, px, think about what rennet is.

I, for one, will definitely try the kielbasa, and I’m really happy there’s now an Italian sausage that’s not Boca. (I call them ’snausage’. :)
Pawel
23|May|2004 4

I’m Polish and I like kielbasa very much (actually - kie³basa), especially when it is taken straight from the camp-fire :) I can’t even imagine eating anything like “Vegan Kielbasa”
Cornelius
14|Apr|2005 5

Just got done eating 2 and a half!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ame
10|Mar|2006 6

Hi, I’m Polish too and dying to try out the Tofurky’s kielbasa and other sausages. Unfortunately, their products don’t seem to be available in the UK. I like Tesco’s Hot Dog Frankfurters and although they are edible I’m not recommending them because of the awful sounding ingredients. There are 2 other companies in the UK selling vegetarian sausages in the mainstream stores but taste-wise don’t compare to old good kielbasa.
I would appreciate any pointers to some tasty sausages!
Mary
26|May|2006 7

I feel different about the Tofurky kielbasa…I had it on a roll with sauerkraut, ketchup and some mustard and I didn’t think it was that great. In fact, I was dissapointed! Now, I didn’t do it on the grill, I put on the skillet, but still!
Danielle
26|May|2006 8

Cut up an onion, some mushrooms, a bell pepper (or use the frozen slices), a couple Tofurkey sausages, fry them all up, serve with pasta. Voila, an easy meal.

The Italian flavor is pretty good in pasta sauce.
Pete
24|Jan|2008 9

no kielbasa here in canada :( i checked a few places and no luck, i guess i’ll have to start calling places to find them :)
jan
17|Feb|2008 10

If you are truly polish, and like myself used to make your own kielbasa, do not try it. It will make you want to give up your heritage.
Sheri Howarth
30|Jul|2008 11

Can anyone tell me where I can purchase kielbasa sausages here in the UK, either in-store or online? I’ve looked everywhere and surfed the net to no end. I’m pulling my hair out!

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I want to serve them at my husband’s 50th - I have a great recipe for them.

Many thanks,
Sheri
speedwell
15|Aug|2008 12

“a starchy, disgusting-looking dough-type product”

Hello, wheat gluten. Protein, not starch. Protein, in fact, with the starch washed out. “Processed” by washing the starch out of flour. Tofu is more processed.
Argh
07|Nov|2008 13

I cannot stand it when people who have either never tried a vegan substitute, or who have tried it only a handful of times, think they can post all sorts of rude and judgmental comments on productive blogs like this one. I always look forward to all kinds of kitchen experiments, and it bugs me to see such ignorance. This is part of what’s wrong with the US! Why don’t you people read up on this stuff before spreading your ignorance all over?

Anyway, I have only tried vegan kielbasa once but I was thoroughly impressed. I believe I will try it mixed with mashed potatoes, cabbage, imitation bacon bits and sprinkled with Tillamook cheese (which is processed without rennet).