Annual pig roast

wtg

Kind of a cool family/neighborhood event that goes back decades...

Our neighbors who live half a block away from us have a pig roast every year on the third Saturday in September; I think this year it ends up being the second Saturday. An early Labor Day messed up their schedule, I think.

It's a tradition that started on the farm where Mrs Neighbor (Kim) grew up. Her parents would sponsor the event every year. No invitations, no RSVPs, just show up on Saturday evening and bring your appetite. And, if you are so inclined, a dish to pass around...

Kim's dad built the pig roaster, and it used to get hauled over to Kim's house on Friday afternoon by her brother, who stored the contraption during the 363 days it wasn't in use. Sadly, Kim's brother died unexpectedly about three weeks ago, so hubby Mark and his brother (who lives across the street) will be doing the honors this year.

People gather on Friday to toast the pig going in the roaster. Kim and Mark are clearing out the garage and getting the tents and tables setup in the yard. Kim had knee replacement three days after Mr wtg did, so she's two weeks post surgery. She's the cyborg who (literally) takes knee surgery in stride. No swelling, no pain meds, no cane or walker, and looks like nothing happened.

Despite all that, the pig roast is on for 2024. The roaster will be here soon. Should be a fun weekend!

Pics to follow....

wtg

Quiet. Awaiting the arrival of the cooker. It will sit on the driveway, near the garage door.

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Side yard where the tents and tables go.

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And the vintage Chevy Impala has been moved out of the garage. 1966. I learned to drive a stick shift on a car exactly like this one. Except my dad's car was gray - Mr wtg referred to it as the Great Gray Whale. Three on the tree, no power brakes, no power steering. Vroom, vroom.

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Big_Al

@wtg
That's certainly an excellent way to spend a weekend. I admire the family's persistence in the face of adversity that might have deterred lesser individuals.

I used to attend an annual pig roast sponsored by an electrical distributor. I still wear several of the tee shirts I got over the years at that pig roast while I was still working.

My most memorable pig roast was one my wife and I attended when we lived in Australia. The husband in a couple we knew was a Maori from New Zealand and they organized a pig roast in a pit dug in their yard. It was lined with stones and a fire built in it. After the fire burnt out and the stones were hot, the pig along with assorted vegetables were placed in the pit, covered with burlap, and then buried. At the time of the meal, the pit was dug open, the pig extracted to be carved, and the vegetables unwrapped for serving. It was all delicious.

wtg

Setup has begun. I think they're missing the brother-in-law, who used to run the whole show. This isn't quite the spot the cooker is usually located; not sure if they'll move it before things get rolling.

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The star of the show. Mark has never done this before and he said he had the butcher cut the head off because "no way I was going to do it".

***=For those who are faint of heart, you don't have to look***

click to show

Steve Miller

Big fun!

wtg

I stopped by last night and they were cutting down the legs on the pig so it would fit in the roaster. No parts wasted...one of the crowd makes sausage and smokes pork hocks, and he took home the trimmins...

It's 9 a.m. The roaster is assembled and cooking away.

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