North Africa · Main
Usban (Herb, Rice, and Offal-Stuffed Sausage)
Savory sheep casings filled with rice, minced lamb liver, heart, and a massive bouquet of fresh green herbs, slowly poached in spiced tomato broth.
The story
Usban is the unrivaled centerpiece of Libyan ceremonial dining, traditionally prepared immediately following the ritual slaughter during Eid al-Adha. While stuffed intestines exist throughout the Levant and North Africa, Libyan Usban is distinguished by its extraordinarily high proportion of fresh herbs—parsley, cilantro, dill, and scallions—relative to grain. A master butcher's rule is that the casings must never be packed tightly; stuffing beyond two-thirds capacity guarantees the casing will burst as the soaked rice expands during the gentle poaching process.
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