The other day I sat at my kitchen table enjoying a cup of coffee and browsing through my local grocery store sale ad for this week. I noticed they had boneless country style pork ribs on sale for $1.99 a pound. I don't know how it is in other parts of the country, but you can't hardly ever find any kind of meat for that price here any more. I told Oldest Son about the sale and he said he would stop on his way home from work yesterday and get some.
So late yesterday afternoon Son came in the door with just a bit under 28 lbs. of pork. He said he cleaned out their display. I know from past experience that when the store runs a sale on this kind of meat, it isn't the neat, evenly cut pieces that one usually gets. Some of the pieces are large and thick while others are smaller. It isn't as free of fat as pork loin, but the fatty bits are small and easily trimmed. There is very little waste.
After supper I browned the pieces of pork in my cast iron frying pan. I could have skipped this part, but I think it helps keep the meat moist and adds to the flavor. It was too late in the evening to start canning, so the meat went into the fridge overnight.
This morning I put the meat pieces into 9x13 cake pans and into the oven for 15 minutes just to warm them before packing into the jars. I wound up with 18 quarts of pork. I will use them like I might a pork roast. One quart jar will yield one nice pork roast meal for one or two people with leftovers for sandwiches or soup. I think that's well worth the time and money.
Ever had one of those days?
2 hours ago
I like the way you think!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gorges. I figure that if I wait, the prices are just going to continue to go up. Might as well do as much as possible now. Just the way I was raised, I guess.
ReplyDeleteYou make it sound so easy. When in reality it is a ton of work. And so worth it in the e nd!!
ReplyDeleteMary...You are so right, but I wouldn't have it any other way. This weekend will be interesting. Son came home tonight with 15 lbs of chicken breast, 10 lbs fresh carrots and another 3 lbs. of bacon ends and pieces. The meat I will can and the carrots get dehydrated. And he is going back for more tomorrow! I am so grateful to have him here to fetch and carry for me. Hoping to get most of the canning of meat done before the weather turns hot. I have a good start, I guess. :)
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