Are you a fan of breakfast meats but looking for a healthier option?
Look no further than scrapple!
This Pennsylvania delicacy may have an intimidating name, but it’s actually a nutritious alternative to traditional breakfast meats like bacon.
With lower levels of sodium and saturated fat, scrapple offers a number of health benefits that make it a great addition to your morning meal.
But what exactly is scrapple, and how does it compare to bacon in terms of nutrition?
In this article, we’ll explore the facts and help you decide whether scrapple is the right choice for you.
So grab a cup of coffee and let’s dive in!
Is Scrapple Healthier Than Bacon?
When it comes to comparing scrapple and bacon, the first thing to consider is their nutritional content.
Scrapple is made from pork trimmings, spices, and binding ingredients, and often includes organ meats like pork kidney and heart. While some of these ingredients offer nutritional value, others are more fillers than fundamental health foods.
On the other hand, bacon is made from pork belly and is typically high in sodium, saturated fat, and preservatives.
So, which one is healthier?
According to The Dialectic, scrapple is actually the healthiest of all breakfast meats. A single serving of scrapple contains 225 percent less sodium, 250 percent fewer calories, and 300 percent less saturated fat than a serving of bacon. In addition, one serving of scrapple will supply you with 40 percent of your daily recommended amount of vitamin A.
While bacon does contain some nutrients like protein and vitamin B12, it’s important to note that it’s also high in harmful ingredients like sodium and saturated fat.
What Is Scrapple And How Is It Made?
Scrapple is a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch dish made from pork scraps and trimmings, cornmeal, wheat flour, and spices. The pork scraps used in scrapple can come from various cuts of pork, including organ meats like liver and tongue. The ingredients are cooked separately and then combined in a loaf pan to chill. Once the loaf forms, it’s sliced and pan-fried before serving.
The process of making scrapple starts with finely minced or ground pork mixed with offal, which is a mixture of organ meat and other trimmings from a butchered hog. Coarse flour such as cornmeal, buckwheat, or both is added to this mixture along with pork stock to bring all the ingredients together. Spices like salt, pepper, and various herbs are added to season the scrapple. Some recipes may also include onions and other flavor additions.
The mixture is then poured into a loaf pan and chilled until it forms a semi-solid congealed loaf. The loaf is sliced into pieces and pan-fried until crispy on the outside and warm and tender on the inside. Scrapple can be found in supermarkets throughout the southern Mid-Atlantic region of the United States in both fresh and frozen refrigerated cases.
Nutritional Value Of Scrapple Vs. Bacon
When comparing the nutritional value of scrapple and bacon, it’s important to consider their calorie, fat, and nutrient content.
A 56-gram serving of Rapa scrapple with bacon contains 130 calories, 9 grams of fat, and 3 grams of saturated fat. In comparison, three pan-fried hickory smoked bacon strips (26 g) contain 120 calories, 9 grams of fat, and 3.8 grams of saturated fat. While the calorie and fat content is similar, bacon has slightly more saturated fat than scrapple.
However, scrapple offers some nutritional benefits that bacon does not. Scrapple contains fewer harmful ingredients like sodium and preservatives per serving. Additionally, scrapple includes nutritious organ meats like pork kidney and heart that provide essential vitamins and minerals. For example, a serving of Rapa scrapple with bacon contains 5 grams of protein and 0.72 mg of iron.
Health Benefits Of Eating Scrapple
Eating scrapple in moderation can provide several health benefits. One of the main benefits of scrapple is its high vitamin A content. Vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy teeth, bones, and soft tissues, as well as promoting good vision and healthy skin. A single serving of scrapple can provide up to 40 percent of your daily recommended intake of vitamin A.
Scrapple is also a good source of selenium, a mineral that helps prevent cell damage in the body. In addition, it contains vitamins B2 and B3, which are important for maintaining healthy skin, nerves, and red blood cells.
While scrapple does contain fat and calories, it has fewer calories and sodium than bacon, making it a healthier breakfast meat choice. It’s important to note that the nutritional content of scrapple can vary depending on the manufacturer, so it’s best to check the label before purchasing.
How To Incorporate Scrapple Into Your Breakfast Routine
If you’re looking to switch up your breakfast routine and try incorporating scrapple, there are several ways to enjoy this traditional Pennsylvania Dutch food.
One popular way to prepare scrapple is by pan-frying it until it’s crispy and golden brown. You can then serve it alongside eggs, toast, or pancakes for a hearty breakfast.
Another option is to use scrapple as a substitute for bacon in your favorite breakfast sandwich. Simply fry up a few slices of scrapple and add them to a toasted English muffin with an egg and cheese for a delicious and satisfying meal.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even try making your own scrapple from scratch using a combination of pork cuts and cornmeal. While the process may be time-consuming, the end result is a flavorful and nutritious breakfast meat that’s sure to impress your family and friends.
Scrapple Recipes To Try At Home
Now that we know that scrapple is a healthier alternative to bacon, let’s explore some scrapple recipes that you can try at home.
1. Classic Scrapple: This recipe is the traditional way of making scrapple and is perfect for those who want to experience the authentic taste. To make this recipe, you will need pork butt, hocks, onion, celery, peppercorns, bay leaves, cornmeal, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and sage. Follow the instructions given above to make this delicious scrapple.
2. Fried Scrapple: This recipe is perfect for those who love crispy and crunchy scrapple. To make this recipe, you will need scrapple slices, clarified butter, and applesauce or maple syrup for serving. Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat and fry the scrapple slices until golden brown and crispy on both sides. Serve with applesauce or maple syrup.
3. Scrapple Gravy: This recipe is perfect for those who love to have their scrapple with gravy. To make this recipe, you will need scrapple slices, butter, flour, milk, salt, and pepper. Follow the instructions given above to fry the scrapple slices until golden brown and crispy. In the same pan, add butter and flour and cook until well combined. Slowly add milk while stirring continuously until the mixture thickens. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve the scrapple slices with the gravy poured over them.
4. Scrapple Breakfast Sandwich: This recipe is perfect for those who love to have a hearty breakfast sandwich in the morning. To make this recipe, you will need scrapple slices, English muffins or biscuits, chives for garnishing (optional), and any other toppings of your choice like cheese or egg. Follow the instructions given above to fry the scrapple slices until golden brown and crispy. Toast the English muffins or biscuits and assemble the sandwich with scrapple slices and any other toppings of your choice. Garnish with chives if desired.
