2009.06.25
25JUN09--Pig Pickin'
Today, my team roasted a pig promptly followed by a good ol' pig pickin'.
As to not offend Muslims, pork products are generally not shipped to Iraq with the exception of whole pigs. Each team member contributed $11 towards our 135 lbs supper, and we ate well!
Some of us and our wives believed that a pig might take days to thaw, considering that a Thanksgiving turkey (24 lbs) takes three days to thaw. However, I can verifty that a whole pig can be thawed in 16 hours.
Sergeants Colon and Parker began grilling at 0700 hours, believing that it may be done by evening. Again, skeptics were proven wrong, as the pig was cooked through by noon.
I began carving the pig, but one of the National Guard augmentees to our team had special knowledge on pulled pork: it's he real job. So we both put on latex gloves and went to work pickin'.
As our tour winds to an end, every enjoyed some time for relaxation. $11 well spent.
135 lbs of frozen pig that thawed on top of this table.
You might think that Sergeant Colon kissing the pig on a dare, but really some people just like to kiss pigs.
Sergeant Parker is on fire watch. The pig was a bit close to the fire, so he had to be ready when it caught fire.
Bon Appetite!
I tried to carve with the utensils available, at first, before moving on to the pickin'.
A plate of pulled pork and sweet sauce (what North Carolinians call their BBQ sauce) is fine eating!
Who was/were the lucky ones to get some of the cheek? I've heard that's the best part!
Comment by Eva — June 25, 2009 @ 2:37 pm
Yahoooo! Where the coleslaw at?
Comment by Candy Sea — June 25, 2009 @ 2:39 pm
Awww...that does look delicious!
Though I must say I'm partial to the Carolina BBQ sauce.
I doubt you guys had any leftovers.
Comment by Ed S. — June 25, 2009 @ 3:16 pm
Actually...why/how did the exception for whole pigs come in?
Comment by Ed S. — June 25, 2009 @ 5:14 pm
So if your skills are so great that you can carve with a spatula, why do I end up doing all the carving in the Connaroe home??
Comment by Devon — June 25, 2009 @ 10:20 pm
Ed, we invited National Guard guys to come over and help finish it off. About the exception for whole pigs, I have no idea. But I found it humorous. I suppose the difference is that we bought it at at the Army's Post Exchange, as opposed to importing it from another source. I do not see a difference.
Sorry, Eva and Sandy, no slaw, and I do not think that anyone ate the cheeks.
Devon, my lovely bride, I know better than to pretend to be in charge in the kitchen.
Comment by Rich Connaroe — June 26, 2009 @ 3:37 pm