Granddaddy's Winter Hog Killing

---

When I was a boy, I remember going to my grandparents in Bertie County, every year during the winter to help butcher hogs on their farm. Granddaddy would raise 4-8 hogs each season. He would try to choose a  day that wasn't too cold, but that was cold enough to keep the meat. My jobs were many and varied; I remember splitting wood for the fire, salting the hams, stirring the crackling pot and helping to make sausage among other things.
 

Some of my fondest memories are being together as a family at these events and of course tasting all of the delicious foods that were prepared by my grandma and other ladies. I remember fresh squeezed cracklings, lean meat and ribs that my dad had tossed in the crackling pot while we were rendering the lard and meat salad sandwiches. Yum!
 

One of the things my granddaddy would do is send a package of sausage and other various cuts of meat home with those who had helped as a token of appreciation. Mom in turn would cook up those yummy link sausages for breakfast or supper. I would throw mine in a slice of bread and have a piggy in the blanket. Man oh man, talk about some good eating!  

Our Bratwurst reminds me a lot of the those sausage links Granddaddy used to make. Every time I sink my teeth into one of our yummy brats it's like taking a trip down memory lane. I'm sure everyone has fond memories of visiting a farm or helping a family member on a farm and we hope that our products will bring back some of those memories. 

We'd love to hear you share them when you come out to visit the market on Saturday. Thank you for allowing our family the privilege of providing a portion of your family's food for the week!