Today is the day! Last year I was lucky to be able to sign up to get half of a pig that was being raised just around the corner from me – and the butchered product just arrived.
My cut sheet was a storm of special instructions, since I intend to make my own sausages, try some cured meat, and maybe something more. All in all, it appears that most of it arrived as requested – though I apparently messed up how I wanted the leg processed. (No prosciutto this year – but I’m sure it can still be turned into some delicious ham.)
For the curious, the half pig came in at 110 lbs hanging weight. Out of that I got about 90lbs of pork product back from the butcher. I had the meat cut in mostly large pieces, but the breakdown was roughly:
55lbs Chops, spare-ribs, roasts and belly
19lbs Sausage meat (trim and shoulder)
16lbs Fat
Look for sausage and cured meat details in the days to come.
Small Potatoes 
Meat is back on the menu. Pork chops tonight! Mmm.
We just had two pork chops for dinner – they were amazing! Special thanks to Mark for raising such great tasting pigs. (And a mention to the ThermaPen – perfectly cooked meat every time!)
I can’t wait for the report on sausage day!! Is there a way to mail some across the country maybe? :-)