Dutch Delights: Worstenbroodjes
What: Worstenbroodjes – Similar to saucijzenbroodjes, worstenbroodjes are a roll of soft white bread dough filled with seasoned meat. They are usually eaten hot.
Why: The history behind worstenbroodjes seems to differ based on the region that they come from. In Brabant they were a type of sandwich.
However, in Limburg they were made at Christmas time and eaten when people came back from midnight mass. In those days midnight mass really was in the middle of the night and also quite lengthy!
Where: Worstenbroodjes can be found in supermarkets, butchers and bakeries.
When: Worstenbroodjes are eaten throughout the year as a snack or a small meal.
Varieties: Worstenbroodjes can be found in different shapes and sizes, including mini nuggets.
How Much [Should I Eat]: I personally find the worstenbroodjes more bland and less tasty than the saucijzenbroodjes but if you prefer bread over puff pastry than these might be more for you.
Pas Op! (Watch Out!): Worstenbroodjes and saucijzenbroodjes are not the same item, even though they can look quite similar. So, make sure you look carefully when selecting your choice.
In Flanders a worstenbroodje is often a flakey pastry and frikandel combo, and they are very tasty. Sometimes they are more breadlike, but never true bread, so perhaps they are more like your saucijzenbroodjes, though at a linguistic level they both mean the same thing.