1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 medium white onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
Leaves from 4 sprigs thyme (about 1 teaspoon)
2 large eggs
1/2 cup well-shaken lowfat buttermilk
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 pounds ground pork
1 pound bratwurst pork sausage, removed from casings and broken up
1 cup crushed saltine crackers (about 20)
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
8 strips bacon