Well now, here's something quirky to tell your friends: as a treasured delicacy of our fine and fertile land, the Lincolnshire Sausage has gone all political on us...
A Number 10 petition to protect the infamous banger is attracting many signatories, all in favour of ensuring the Lincolnshire Sausage is given 'Protected Geographical Indication status' - in other words, the sausage cannot be sold using the Lincolnshire name unless it was produced in the county using the traditional recipe.
If you've never tried a Lincolnshire Sausage, do - it's a delicious herby experience (particularly enjoyable when squashed between two thick slices of bread, it has to be said). When visiting the county, you're more than likely to be offered a couple with your eggs and bacon - and if they aren't on the menu GASP loudly and refuse the pale pink joke sausage they've offered instead.
The question remains then, if this petition is successful what difference will it make to Lincolnshire? Here's a few thoughts...
No. 1 - producers. Our wonderful and tireless farming community deserve a big pat on the back. Lincolnshire Sausages are the lifeblood of many a meat producer and hopefully PGI status might throw some more national and international business their way, plus give them extra credibility as a specialist supplier.
No. 2 - shops. At the front end of the Lincolshire Sausage chain are the shops who sell to the public. Petition granted, these shops can be reassured that Mr Visitor & Family will not mosey off to Asda and pick up some L.S imitations because the butchers was closed. Unless Asda add the sausages to their 'local' selection of produce. In which case they will have to source them from Mr Farmer, see above - oooh win win win.
No. 3 - our reputation. Lincolnshire remains largely a misunderstood and mysterious land. Our hidden secrets are yet to be recognised by the wider world! If Lincolnshire were catapulted onto the front pages of The Sausage Mail and Bangers n' Mash Weekly a flood of visitors would descend upon our doors, come and eat some sausages (at the very least) and trot back home and tell their friends how jolly lovely it was. No really... it's amazing what a bit of foodie PR can do for a place, and we'd be certain to see a positive result for the county.
So...not only can we boldly claim fame to our favourite mash accompaniment without fear of poor or misguided imitation but also, hopefully, encourage people to visit the county off the back of our VI-PGI saucisson. CL
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