Monday, 30 July 2012

How to make lard

After cutting up a pig (especially a big one), you are left with a lot of fat. Cut it up in cubes, approx. 2.5-3cm big. Or smaller, if you prefer, or if you still have the energy and time.

Put it in a big, preferably heavy-based, pot.

Have it on a very low heat.

Let it do its thing, stirring occasionally. Slowly it will start to melt. It should not bubble. The fat should just melt. It will take time, though.

This is what it looks like at the very end. You could eat the crunchy bits. They are like crackling. Or you could leave little bits in the lard pot (mixed in with the lard) - and spread it on bread, where the occasional crunchy bit is a treat.
Or you could feed them to the chooks - if you have had enough piggery for a while. There are lots of things you can do with the crunchy bits.

The lard is poured into containers. Let it cool, put lid on. There you are.
 This will keep forever in the fridge. Or you could freeze it. Or use to make soap, or a decadent lardy cake, or for deep-frying, etc.

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3 comments:

  1. mashelly30 July 2012 at 6:33 pm

    how cool is that..how much lard for one pig? approx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Barb.31 July 2012 at 5:40 pm

    We do this, from wild pigs the son caught. I use some to make soap and have some in the fridge still for...not sure yet. Much better than wasting it though we do sometimes give it to the chooks.

    Barb.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Veggie Gnome2 August 2012 at 8:54 am

    Barb, that's the thing - not wasting it. It's quite a versatile and useful thing -> lard. :)

    ReplyDelete

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