FOR THOSE who don’t eat meat vegetarian and vegan sausage rolls are a treat, although why they are called ‘sausage’ has long puzzled me.
But I’m not here to go into that. I’m here for a taste test, rooting out the veggie/vegan sausage rolls available in supermarkets.
I’m not vegetarian, but I don’t eat certain meats including pork. In the days when I did eat pork I loved sausages, and sausage rolls in particular, so I was interested to see how these tasted.
First let's look back at the history of this popular snack that no half-way decent party would be without.
Encasing spiced meats in dough was practised in classical Greece and Rome to keep meat moist during cooking. It wasn't until the 19th century, in France, that the concept of wrapping meat in flaky puff pastry evolved. British bakers adapting this to make a cheap, filling snack for the working class. Street vendors and pie men sold hot sausage rolls to workers outside factories, markets, and pubs.
Today, the sausage roll is a staple of British life, enjoyed hot or cold at picnics, buffets, wakes and all manner of social gatherings.
We can't get enough of them - major British bakery chains, such as Greggs, sell upwards of 140 million sausage rolls every year
I tested six varieties of frozen vegan sausage rolls from leading supermarkets. Here’s what I thought.
*Greggs 4 Vegan Sausage Rolls, 420g, £3.50 (bought in Iceland at The Range)
Despite needing longer in the oven, these were lighter in colour than the others and the least appetising in appearance. They were a good size. The puff pasty was a bit too flaky and ended up all over the plate, while the Quorn-based filling had a sausage-like texture, with a subtle pork sausage taste. It was quite enjoyable, but expensive compared to the others.
Pros: texture (filling), taste
Cons: appearance, consistency (pastry), price.
Mark: 3/5
*Sainsbury’s Plant Pioneers 4 No Pork Sausage Rolls, 400g, £1.25
A good size, these ‘deliciously vegan’ (as it says on the box), rolls looked very appealing once out of the oven, with golden brown puff pastry. The pasty was folded around the sausage, leaving a thick pastry ‘handle’ along the side - there was a little too much of it, however and, like Greggs, it flaked everywhere. The sausage itself had a decent texture to get my teeth into, but the flavour wasn’t there - it was bland and boxy. A good price for four, but I wasn’t keen.
Pros: presentation, price
Cons: consistency (pastry) taste.
Mark: 2/5
Plant Pioneers by Sainsbury's (Image: Newsquest)
*OMV! 4 Meat-Free Sausage Rolls by Asda, 440g, £1.46
A decent size, these ‘deliciously vegan’ (as it says on the box) rolls heated up to an appetising golden brown, with a lovely flaky - but not too flaky - pastry. The filling had a medium-to-firm sausagey texture and lovely sausage taste, bringing back memories of the real thing. It could have been a bit more flavoursome, especially as it contains seasoning including thyme, sage and black pepper, but it was very enjoyable and a good price.
Pros: presentation, texture, taste, price.
Cons: seasoning.
Mark: 4/5
*Linda McCartney 6 Sausage Rolls, Vegan, 342g, £2.48 (bought at Asda)
With six in a box, these are the smallest in size of the boxed sausage rolls, perfect for packed lunches. The pastry was nicely flaky, while the perfectly-textured sausage ‘meat’ tasted so lovely I was tempted to stick another couple in the oven. There was a sagey/peppery edge to the taste which lifted it above the others. Despite the size difference, it’s not a bad price for six yummy snacks. Full marks.
Pros: texture, taste.
Cons: none.
Mark: 5/5
Morrisons Plant Revolution
Tesco Plant Chef
*Morrisons Plant Revolution 4 Sausage Rolls, 400g, £2.00
These baked to an appetising golden brown, with a wide crispy double fold in the pastry - which wasn't too flaky - at the side. The medium-to-firm meaty texture offered a good bite, but while the sausage had a good taste, it could have been more flavoursome with additional seasoning. Similar to Asda, but smaller and more expensive.
Pros: presentation, texture, taste.
Cons: seasoning, price.
Mark: 3/5
*Tesco Plant Chef, 30 Meat-Free Sausage Rolls, 600g, £2.75
These offer a slight departure from the selection as they are mini sausages, perfect for social gatherings and packed lunches. The pastry was nicely puffed up, while the meat had a mild, but sausagey taste. Very nice. If I was standing beside a plate of these at a buffet, I’d devour more than is sensible.
Pros: texture, taste.
Cons: none.
Mark: 4/5