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Zombie Intestines

The most macabre and ghastly savory appetizer you can serve on Halloween! But don't let looks fool you, it's a savory mild Italian sausage stuffing wrapped in puff pastry with a side of marinara sauce.

Course Appetizer
Cuisine Italian
Keyword Halloween Chex, Halloween Menu, Halloween Savory Appetizer, Mild Italian Sausage, Puff Pastry
Prep Time 55 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Author The Tiny Fairy

Ingredients

  • olive oil to coat the pan
  • 1 1-lb. mild Italian sausage meat, without casing
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • pinch of kosher salt and black pepper prefer Diamond brand kosher salt
  • ½ cup Panko bread crumbs
  • cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature, beaten
  • 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed (1 box) prefer Pepperidge Farms brand
  • egg wash (1 egg plus 1 teaspoon of water)
  • ½-¾ cup store bought marinara sauce for dipping

Instructions

  1. Set the frozen puff pastry on the counter to thaw as you cook the filling mixture.

Making the Filling

  1. Heat a heavy bottom pan over medium heat and drizzle a little olive oil to coat the pan. Add the onion and sausage. Using a wooden spoon, break the sausage into small pieces to resemble ground beef.

  2. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper and cook until browned. Drain excess fat or liquid and set aside to cool at room temperature.

  3. Transfer sausage mixture to a mixing bowl. Add Panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese and the two beaten eggs. Mix together to combine and set aside.

Intestine Assembly

  1. Take into consideration your serving platter when you draw your intestines outline on a sheet of parchment paper. Flip the parchment paper over and set it on a baking sheet. Your drawing will be on the underside as not to touch the pastry. This will serve as a guide when placing the sausage logs.

  2. Cut two sheets of puff pastry along the seams so you have six long strips of puff pastry. You will need three strips for the large intestine and three for the small intestine. Flour your board and rolling pin to lightly roll out all the pastry strips at once.

  3. Working with one pastry strip at a time, brush the egg wash on all the edges of the pastry strip and add ⅙ of the filling down the center. Pull one side up and over the filling and roll the sausage log so the seam is located at the bottom.

    Note: Divide the filling in half, and divide each half into three equal parts. This will ensure your pastry strips are rolled into even logs.

  4. As you roll each sausage log, place it on the baking sheet over your design. Complete the large intestine first, then fill in the center. Repeat until all the pastry logs have been shaped and placed over the design.

    Note: Make sure the corners are sealed and tucked properly, with all seam sides down, so the filling won't come out.

  5. Once the design has been completed, lightly brush with egg wash and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

  6. Preheat oven to 375°F. Transfer directly from the refrigerator into the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden. Cooking time will vary depending on your design and oven.

  7. Once baked remove from oven and allow to rest while you warm up your favorite marinara sauce in a sauce pan.

  8. Once the sauce has warmed through, plate and serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

Note:  Pastry can also be refrigerated overnight and brushed with the egg wash just before baking.  You can also flash freeze on the baking sheet,  then transfer into a freezer safe plastic bag.  Keeps frozen 3 -4 weeks.  Thaw overnight in refrigerator and brush with egg wash just before baking.