Last month I shared a Got To Be NC Chicken (and Duck) roundup. This month I’m pleased to present a roundup of Got To Be NC Pork posts from the Got To Be NC Bloggers, featuring pork you can find at North Carolina farmers markets.
I’m honored to again partner with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services to bring you this collection of pork dishes featuring North Carolina pork from local farmers markets.
I’m excited about these posts. The photos look wonderful and I can’t wait to try the recipes and learn more about the farmers who raise the pork. This small roundup includes a diverse collection of recipes you can make at home.
This month I also did a farm profile, so one of the posts linked below is mine.
Our pork promotion even made television in Charlotte, NC thanks to Heidi Billotto, who cooked her molasses and mustard marinated pork chops on air.
North Carolina Pork Round-Up
These recipes showcase the range of flavors and techniques you can use with North Carolina pork. Naturally raised local pork often has more marbling and flavor than commodity pork, which helps prevent dryness when cooking chops or roasts. Use these recipes as inspiration and don’t be afraid to experiment.
First up is Heidi’s Molasses and Mustard Marinated Pork Chops. The method is simple: combine the marinade, let the chops marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight, then braise until tender and caramelized. Heidi used pork from A Way of Life Farm sold at the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market.
Next is my Polish Sausage with Apples, Onions, and Butternut Squash. I served it with homemade spaetzle—surprisingly easy to make. The pork sausage came from MAE Farm at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh, and I bought the apples and squash from other vendors there for a true one-stop-market meal.
If you need a quick, bold weeknight meal, check out Kate’s North Carolina Pork & Five Pepper Stir-Fry. Kate from Life of a Ginger cooks for a busy household and knows how to turn simple ingredients into fast, flavorful dinners. Her stir-fry pairs plenty of vegetables and tender pork over rice, and features pork from Rockin’ B Farm, available at the Piedmont Triad State Farmers Market in Colfax.
For something indulgent, try Kristi’s Carolina Poutine with Pulled Pork from TriadFoodies. Poutine—fries topped with cheese curds and gravy—is comfort food at its finest. This North Carolina take uses sweet potato fries (NC is a major sweet potato producer), Ashe County cheese curds, barbecue sauce, and pulled pork from Mill River Farm, sold at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Farmers Market.
Finally, Linda from Hispanic Mama brings irresistible Tacos al Pastor—perfect for Taco Tuesday or any day you want vibrant flavors. Her recipe features pork from Bull City Farm, available at the Durham Roots Farmers Market at North Gate Mall in Durham. These tacos are a great place to start if you want to explore bold marinades and fresh toppings.
These five recipes barely scratch the surface of the many ways to cook North Carolina pork. If you don’t live in North Carolina, look for local pork at your own farmers market—most regions have great small farms producing delicious meat.
I hope these posts and farmer stories inspire you to get to know the people who grow your food. Farmers often have thoughtful stories and a lot of knowledge to share. As Mike Jones of MAE Farm said after our conversation, “We farmers have a lot of time to think.” Talk to them, learn about their practices, support your local economy, and feed your family well.
Next time you visit the farmers market, don’t forget the pork. Thank you for spending time with me and the Got To Be NC Bloggers—now go pick up some local pork and enjoy cooking.
