Homemade Breakfast Sausage Patties

Place the pork (or turkey) in a large bowl and spread it out over the surface of the bowl. (This makes it easier to incorporate the spices without over-mixing.)In a small bowl, combine all of the seasonings (except the maple syrup, if using) and sprinkle the mixture over the pork. Drizzle the maple syrup over the pork, if using.Using your hands, mix the seasonings evenly into the pork without overworking the meat. Portion and shape the mixture into 16 (2-ounce) patties, or about 1/4 cup each. Make-ahead tip: At this point, you may cover well and refrigerate for up to 2 days or wrap and freeze for a month or so.When ready to cook, lightly oil or spray a frying pan or cast iron skillet with olive oil, and heat over medium heat. Add the patties and cook until well browned on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. (I can just fit 8 patties at a time in my 12-inch cast iron skillet so can make these in 2 batches.)Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. The homemade sausages are delicious as a side dish or used in an egg sandwich. Tip: The ground pork mixture can also be used in recipes that call for bulk sausage.