Silence of the Hams pt. 2 Deconstructing Wilbur
I always wondered why Grandma forbade us from naming the pigs. "Hush up and never mind," she'd say. The next-door neighbor chimed in with a laugh, solving the mystery: "You don't name your food," he said, chuckling. "Save names for your dog, your cat, and your horses." Apparently, pork with a side of sentiment wasn't on the menu!
Hog butchering provided a diverse array of pork cuts - the shanks, hocks, feet, ears, and tails, especially during New Year's, symbolizing prosperity for the upcoming year. When I grew up, went off to college and relocated to the 'Burgh, ribs became a more prevalent part of our culinary indulgence. The 'Burgh even hosts a grand rib fest, drawing barbecue enthusiasts from across the nation. I will talk about that later.
So, like, Grandma would whip up this huge pot of navy beans, or lima beans, or butter beans, or pinto beans, or great northern beans. You know beans-beans good for your heart, the more you eat the more you fart! First, she would take the neckbones, hocks, or shanks, and would let them boil down until it practically disintegrated. Then she would throw in the beans and let them cook in all that delicious goodness, soaking up all that flavor. Each bowl ended up with these tiny meat surprises served with a warm square of cornbread, slathered with butter, jam, or syrup. It was delicious.
It fed 10 hungry grandkids and four adults. And guess what? There was so much goodness that seconds weren't just allowed; they were practically mandatory. My great uncle Tom would have some for lunch the next day. In Grandma's kitchen, beans weren't just a meal; they were a full-blown feast. (It also made for flatulent nights and giggling under the covers).
I almost forgot to mention the barbecue. In the South, barbecue is the quintessential food, savored during casual cookouts. However, in the North, barbecue takes on a more event-like status. The distinction lies not just in the dishes served but in the very essence of the experience. Slaw is law as a side.
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