Candied Kielbasa Bites

Before game days or family gatherings, I love having a little something sweet and savory bubbling away in the oven. These tender kielbasa bites get wonderfully sticky as they bake, and the kick of horseradish keeps them from being too sweet. They’re the kind of nibble folks gather around, toothpicks in hand, chatting away while the platter slowly disappears.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs kielbasa, any variety you like
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup prepared horseradish

Instructions:

1. Heat your oven to 375°F.
2. Cut the kielbasa into 1-inch pieces. Using chopsticks or the handle of two wooden spoons as guides, make shallow hasselback-style cuts about 1/4 inch apart—just enough to open them up without slicing through.
3. Nestle all the sausage pieces into a baking dish.
4. Spoon in the brown sugar, ketchup, and horseradish, stirring everything around so each piece gets coated in that glossy mixture.
5. Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 60–90 minutes, giving everything a stir every 20 minutes or so. You’re looking for the sauce to thicken and the edges of the kielbasa to caramelize just the way you like them.
6. Serve warm—these are best enjoyed right out of the oven when they’re sticky, shiny, and irresistible.