A device for creating curved sausage links involves extruding an elongated
sausage strand having linear protein fibers therein out of an elongated
hollow meat emulsion extrusion tube. The flow of meat emulsion through
the tube is partially restricted by a restrictor element within the tube
which permits a portion of the meat emulsion to pass thereover in a
substantially uninterrupted manner, but which requires a separate layer
of meat emulsion to have its movement through the tube inhibited by
engaging the restrictor element and having to move thereover to exit the
tube. When the sausage strand is subjected to heat, the uninterrupted
portion is inclined to have more lengthwise shrinkage in the presence of
heat than the other layer, thus causing the sausage link to assume a
curved configuration. The device has a stuffing tube with the restrictor
element therein as described heretofore.