FRIDAY FOOD THING
Hog's Head Cheese
Today’s FRIDAY FOOD THING was going to be a leap of faith for me: a review of something I have never had before. Something I’ve been afraid to try. A Southern something called “Souse“. Something that’s often called “Hogs Head Cheese“. Souse sounds better, but it was not meant to be. When I got home from the grocery store, a bottle of wine and my package of souse was nowhere to be found. The only thing I can figure is the grocery store bagger must have put the wine and the souse on the bottom shelf of my shopping cart, where I neglected to look. The wine and the package of souse is probably still sitting in the parking lot cart caddy.
Well, the package of souse probably is…
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04/28/2012
Tim Says: Oh, oh. The ball’s a rolling. I just called a local butcher shop and can purchase a hog’s head for $8 plus tax. Sounds cheap to me! I asked if they could cut my head in half for me. They laughed. “I meant the hogs head!” “No!” they said. “That would tear up our saw.” I made a mental note. Haven’t stepped off the cliff yet. But now I know the cliff is there if I decide to leap.
I have eaten souse..years ago and not by my choice. It did not stay down and I would never eat it again. Ick. You didn’t miss anything!! Well, the wine..
I assume you read this article as the photograph appears similar to the one in your blog. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_cheese
This appears to be a world-wide item, under various names.
You might be better off you left it. lol
It’s really better than most would think. Of course, the “store bought” kind probably isn’t as good as the homemade type. If you make it yourself, you can add the type and amount of seasonings you prefer.
You don’t know what you are missing. My Father used to make Hog’s Head
cheese many years ago
Don’t knock it ’til you try it–one of my childhood memories!!??!! Not adult!!
I think I’d leave it there too…
Oh Tim, Tim, Tim. You crack me up at times. I too would mourn the loss of the wine far and above that other stuff. I’m thinking that “the forces that be” were looking out for you. Please keep on Blogging.
actually, surprisingly Souse (we have always called it Head Cheese) is quite tasty. I remember thick slabs of home made bread spread with mustard, mayo and lettuce with my head cheese at Grandma’s house. My parents wouldn’t touch the stuff, tho.
My Papaw used to eat souse but he could never convince me to try it, although he did convince me to try pickled pigs’ feet. One of the funniest stories I’ve ever heard was told by a friend who was trying to make souse for her husband and she got busy and let the hog’s head burn. “____ (her name), you done gone and burnt that hog’s head!!!” She got another head from a neighbor and make the “cheese.” She says it’s really good but the thought of it makes me throw up a little in my mouther.
Angela’s comment rings a bell. I’m sure, making it from scratch sounds like the way to go, although — I have to admit — I don’t think I’ve seen a hog head in my grocery store, EVER! I’ve been told Souse recipes generally contain a quantity of vinegar. Somehow, that doesn’t sound so good to me. The picture I used in the article shows a lot more meat than the package I bought, however briefly — from the store. I love hog-jowl bacon, so I’m assuming a custom recipe would be much better. (Without the vinegar!)
Oh, oh. The ball’s a rolling. I just called a local butcher shop and can purchase a hog’s head for $8 plus tax. Sounds cheap to me! I asked if they could cut my head in half for me. They laughed. “I meant the hogs head!”
“No!” they said. “That would tear up our saw.”
I made a mental note.
Haven’t stepped off the cliff yet. But now I know the cliff is there if I decide to leap.
If you do make that leap, be sure to post a picture of the head!!
For starters, I thought this was hilarious…
http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/04/the-nasty-bits-breaking-down-a-pigs-head-offal-headcheese-ramen-recipe.html
LOL that was funny, especially when the pig’s head bit her! I also watched the link included in one of the comments: http://www.gourmet.com/food/video/2008/09/cosentino_pigshead
It wasn’t captioned, so I don’t know what he was talking about, but it was very interesting. He shaved and burned off the hair on the head before dissecting.
I still do not like head cheese and no, I will not eat head cheese, no no no. (sorry, Dr. Seuss!).
My father liked pig’s feet, but I never shared his enthusiam for those, either.
O__________O
–TIm
Hmm.. what does that mean? the O______O thing?
O___O means, “eyes open wide in astonishment”.
O____________________O means, “EYES OPEN WIDE IN ASTONISHMENT”.
(That’s when I saw the pig head in the pot.)
See what cool things those gamer kids are teaching me?
There’s also, O_________o , but I have no idea what THAT means.
And O.O
Those kids are pretty smart! Hahaha.
Yes, they are! Thanks for filling me in!