Is garlic sausage the same as kielbasa?

Not exactly. While both garlic sausage and kielbasa are sausage varieties with garlic as a common ingredient, there are some key differences:

Garlic Sausage:

* Generally refers to a broader category: It can be made with various meats (pork, beef, chicken) and spices, and often includes garlic as a prominent flavoring.

* May be smoked or unsmoked: Smoked garlic sausage tends to have a richer, more intense flavor.

* Comes in different sizes and shapes: From links to patties, depending on the region and recipe.

Kielbasa:

* Specifically refers to a Polish sausage: Traditionally made with pork, sometimes with beef, and always heavily seasoned with garlic, marjoram, and other spices.

* Always smoked: Giving it a characteristic smoky flavor.

* Usually comes in thick, elongated links: Often coiled or tied in a knot.

In summary:

* Garlic sausage is a wider category: encompassing various sausage types with garlic as a common ingredient.

* Kielbasa is a specific type of garlic sausage: originating from Poland and known for its distinctive smoky flavor.

So, while all kielbasa is garlic sausage, not all garlic sausage is kielbasa!