Rich pork sausage wrapped in pastry and baked until golden is a festive Italian creation. This high protein carnivore mediterranean dish is a family favorite during winter celebrations.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) and set the rack to the middle position for even browning.
Simmer the cotechino sausage in gently boiling water for 20 minutes to render excess fat, then let it cool to room temperature for easy handling.
Unroll the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Spread Dijon mustard evenly over the center, keeping pastry edges clean for sealing.
Pat the cooled sausage dry, then place it on the mustard-coated pastry. Sprinkle with black pepper, then wrap securely, folding ends underneath to seal; use a fork to press seam for a tight closure.
Beat the egg and brush it all over the pastry for a golden finish. Chill the wrapped sausage for 15 minutes to set the dough, then bake on a parchment-lined tray for 35–40 minutes, rotating once, until deeply golden and crisp. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing to maintain flakiness.