Träipen

About This Recipe

Träipen is Luxembourg's much-loved black pudding, distinct in character from its British and French cousins by the inclusion of oats, marjoram, and a warming blend of spices including allspice and cloves. Traditionally made during the autumn pig slaughter (Schleektedag), träipen are pressed into sausage casings, pre-cooked, and then pan-fried to order until their skin is crackling and their interior piping hot. They are classically served with sweet-tart sautéed apples — the fruit's acidity cutting through the richness of the blood sausage — and buttery mashed potato. The combination is one of the most beloved cold-weather meals in Luxembourg.

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 600 gTräipen or black pudding sausages (pre-cooked)
• 2 tbspbutter (for frying)
• 3 mediumapples (Braeburn or Cox), cored and sliced into wedges
• 1 tbspbutter (for apples)
• 1 tbspbrown sugar
• 0.5 tspcinnamon
• 1 tbspapple cider vinegar
• 800 gfloury potatoes, peeled and boiled
• 80 mlwarm whole milk
• 3 tbspbutter (for mash)
• salt and nutmegfor the mash

Instructions

1. 1

   Fry the Träipen

   Slice Träipen into 1.5 cm rounds or leave whole depending on their size. Melt 2 tbsp butter in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Fry Träipen for 3–4 minutes per side until the exterior is deeply browned and crispy. Keep warm in a low oven.

2. 2

   Make the apple compote

   In the same pan, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add apple wedges and brown sugar. Cook for 4–5 minutes, turning once, until caramelized and slightly softened. Add cinnamon and cider vinegar, toss to coat, and cook 1 more minute. Remove from heat.

3. 3

   Make the mash

   Mash boiled potatoes until smooth. Beat in warm milk and butter. Season generously with salt and a grating of nutmeg.

4. 4

   Serve

   Place a generous mound of mash on each plate. Arrange Träipen alongside and spoon sautéed apples over and around.

Variations

• •

  Serve with sauerkraut instead of apples for a more acidic counterpoint.

• •

  Add a splash of Calvados (apple brandy) to the apple pan for a festive version.

• •

  Vegetarian: swap the protein for roasted king oyster mushrooms, smoked tofu or cooked chickpeas — adjust seasoning slightly upward to compensate.

• •

  Spicier: add a finely chopped fresh chile or a teaspoon of crushed Aleppo/Urfa pepper to the aromatics for warm, layered heat instead of a single sharp hit.

Storage

Cooked Träipen can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and re-fried. Mash is best freshly made.

Frequently Asked Questions