Last month I shared a roundup of Got To Be NC Chicken and Duck. This month I’m pleased to present a collection of Got To Be NC Pork posts from our bloggers, featuring pork you can find at local North Carolina farmers markets.
I’m honored to partner again with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services to bring you this roundup of pork dishes featuring locally raised North Carolina pork found at farmers markets.
I’m genuinely excited about these posts. The photos are fantastic, and I’m eager to try the recipes and learn about the farmers who raise the pork. Though this is a small roundup, it showcases a wide variety of preparations and flavors.
This month I also contributed a farm profile, so one of the links below is to my own post.
Our pork promotion even appeared on television in Charlotte, thanks to Heidi Billotto, who is well connected in the local food scene. She demonstrated cooking molasses-and-mustard marinated pork chops.
North Carolina Pork Round-Up
This roundup highlights the versatility and flavor of locally raised pork. Naturally raised North Carolina pork often has more intramuscular fat and richer flavor than commodity pork, so these recipes tolerate longer cooking without drying out. Use them as inspiration and don’t be afraid to experiment. Visit your farmers market and pick up some pork to try these dishes.
First up is Heidi’s molasses-and-mustard marinated pork chops. The method is simple: combine the marinade ingredients, marinate the chops for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight, then braise in the oven until tender. Heidi’s recipe features pork from A Way of Life Farm, available at the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market.
Next is my Polish Sausage with Apples, Onions, and Butternut Squash. I served it with homemade spaetzle, which is easier to make than you might think. The sausage came from the MAE Farm stall at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh, and the apples and squash were purchased from other market vendors—true one-stop shopping.
Kate from Life of a Ginger focuses on quick, bold meals that feed a busy household. Her North Carolina Pork & Five Pepper Stir-Fry is full of vegetables and flavor and served over rice—an ideal weeknight dinner. Kate used pork from Rockin’ B Farm, available at the Piedmont Triad State Farmers Market in Colfax, NC.
Kristi of TriadFoodies brings a unique comfort-food twist with Carolina Poutine topped with pulled pork. Poutine—fries topped with cheese curds and gravy—gets a North Carolina spin here with sweet potato fries, Ashe County cheese curds, barbecue sauce, and pulled pork from Mill River Farm, available at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Farmers Market.
Finally, Linda from Hispanic Mama serves up flavorful Tacos al Pastor—perfect for Taco Tuesday or any night of the week. Her version features pork from Bull City Farm, available at the Durham Roots Farmers Market at North Gate Mall in Durham.
There you have it—five inspiring recipes that demonstrate just a few of the countless ways to enjoy North Carolina pork. If you don’t live in North Carolina, check your local farmers market for locally raised pork or other meats; many markets carry excellent local producers.
I hope these recipes and the farmers’ stories inspire you to get to know the people who raise your food. As Mike Jones of MAE Farm said in our conversation, “We farmers have a lot of time to think.” They’re happy to share their knowledge—support them, learn their stories, and feed your family well.
Next time you visit the farmers market, don’t forget the pork. Thanks for spending time with me and my fellow Got To Be NC Bloggers—now go pick up some local pork and enjoy.
