Sausage sizzle
A sausage sizzle is a community event in Australia and New Zealand to cook and serve sausages in bread which are grilled or barbecued sausages served in sliced bread with grilled onions and various condiments, most commonly tomato sauce, barbecue sauce or mustard. The term "sausage sizzle" came into common use in the 1980s and is used primarily to refer to the barbecuing event, but also to the sausage itself, mostly in Western Australia.
Sausage sizzles are generally held either as free community events or as fundraisers for charities, schools, sports clubs and other organisations. As such, ingredients and equipment are cheaply purchased or donated by suppliers. Fundraising sausage sizzles have become particularly associated with elections in Australia and the hardware chain Bunnings.
Format
Most commonly, the main sale item at a sausage sizzle is a pork or beef sausage, cooked on a grill or barbecue and served on a single slice of white sandwich bread, or a hot dog roll in Western Australia. Tomato sauce is the most common accompaniment, and is usually available for no extra cost, although other condiments such as barbecue sauce and American mustard are regularly available. Grilled onions are often available, for free or at extra cost.Some sausage sizzles also offer the option of a white bread roll as an alternative to sliced bread. Vegetarian or gluten-free options are infrequently available, but they are often sold at events with more extensive menus, including hamburgers or complete meals. Cans of soft drink or bottled water may also be available for purchase, especially to maximise fundraising.