Lard (who knew)

[SkeeterN]

Did you read Laura Dolson's article about Lard? She posted a couple of very interesting links accompanying her article. Wow!!!! I never knew many of the things that this article shared. For example: "The word lard has become this generally derogatory term associated with fat and disgustingness," Could this be more true?

In my soon to be 53 years of life I have never purchased this nor do I think, has my mother, (well that I remember). Another point that was mentioned I didn't know that the fall from favor wasn't just by accident it was pushed. It seems that Proctor and Gamble was behind the demise of Lard. Articles were written to gross out people and to promote their product. A ball of fat that was the beginning of Crisco that was created in a lab.

They wanted people to think that their product was so much healthier than Lard. In my opinion their naming it Vegetable Shorting was no accident either because when one thinks of vegetables one thinks of healthy.

I am going to buy some Lard and try it. They even said that there was a 64 year old can of Lard tested to be still edible. So if it takes me a while to use it up so be it.

If you want to read this yourself in case you missed it here are the link to the article Laura wrote. The rest of the links are in her article.

What Happened to Lard?

[LindaSue]

The trouble is finding lard that's worth buying. The stores around here only sell Armour brand and it has transfats added.

[Vanessa120]

Our local health food co-op regularly has fresh non-hydrogenated lard! I love lard!

[SkeeterN]

Originally Posted by LindaSue

The trouble is finding lard that's worth buying. The stores around here only sell Armour brand and it has transfats added.

Thank you Linda Sue, I will look for a brand that isn't Armour. Maybe I will look at Jungle Jim's when I go next to my parents.

Thank you Linda Sue, I went to the Walmart site and it appears they have more brands than Armour but hope they do in the stores

[KCSoccer]

I've ordered leaf lard from Dietrich's Meats and Country Store in Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania. I don't think they have an online store, you'll have to call and place an order. Shipping and prices are very reasonable. FYI: It's an Amish store, they don't take credit cards, you'll have to send a check.

The lard is pure white and there's no "porkiness". It makes excellent pie crusts (back in my HC days) and keeps for a very long time in the refridgerator.

[Charski]

Mother Linda's Lard is awesome organic stuff, albeit expensive.

I often make my own though.

The porkiness of lard depends on how long it's cooked - if you cook it only to the rendered-out stage, it's snow-white and wonderful. If you continue to cook it, it will turn a light golden color and will taste "porkier" - which is wonderful stuff for frying pork chops or other uses where pork is a GOOD flavor!

[PaminKY]

I buy fresh rendered lard from a friend of my borthers who makes it every fall. A 5lb bucket of pure white lard only costs me $20.00.

[Linnylamb]

Wow, KCSoccer, I have actually been to Deitrich's meats! It's funny that someone from Kansas City actually knows about this little place. Are you a transplant by any chance?

They are actually not Amish, but Pennsylvania Dutch. Not 100% sure, but I think we've used our credit card there. It's been a while since we've been there, so I can't remember clearly. Nice little family place with some good homemade things.

Thanks for the tip about finding lard there. I'll have to check it out. Ironically, I haven't used lard since my high carb days. My mom used to use it for her pie crusts, so I tried it out when I began making my own pies and cookies. Made a very tender, delicious baked good.

[Tilly]

Originally Posted by SkeeterN

Did you read Laura Dolson's article about Lard? She posted a couple of very interesting links accompanying her article. Wow!!!! I never knew many of the things that this article shared. For example: "The word lard has become this generally derogatory term associated with fat and disgustingness," Could this be more true?

In my soon to be 53 years of life I have never purchased this nor do I think, has my mother, (well that I remember). Another point that was mentioned I didn't know that the fall from favor wasn't just by accident it was pushed. It seems that Proctor and Gamble was behind the demise of Lard. Articles were written to gross out people and to promote their product. A ball of fat that was the beginning of Crisco that was created in a lab.

They wanted people to think that their product was so much healthier than Lard. In my opinion their naming it Vegetable Shorting was no accident either because when one thinks of vegetables one thinks of healthy.

I am going to buy some Lard and try it. They even said that there was a 64 year old can of Lard tested to be still edible. So if it takes me a while to use it up so be it.

If you want to read this yourself in case you missed it here are the link to the article Laura wrote. The rest of the links are in her article.

What Happened to Lard?

This is interesting reading, as that is the impression I was under. I had been doing some research on lard myself this evening before I saw this thread. Going to get me some lard. I always wondered how vegetables relates to shortening.

[Purple Crayon]

You can also look in the Hispanic foods section of the grocery store for lard.
I don't remember the brand I've seen, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't Armour.

[lonestarstamper]

Linda Sue....... I wonder if Trader Joes will have a good lard for us to buy????

[Speck333]

Originally Posted by Purple Crayon

You can also look in the Hispanic foods section of the grocery store for lard.
I don't remember the brand I've seen, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't Armour.

That made me think of "manteca", it's not a brand though, just what you call lard in Spanish. Probably still have to read the labels, though.

[lonestarstamper]

Thanks Speck333.......we have Fiesta stores and other Spanish markets in the Houston area. Will have to look there.

[Speck333]

Originally Posted by lonestarstamper

Thanks Speck333.......we have Fiesta stores and other Spanish markets in the Houston area. Will have to look there.

You'll probably find several different brands of manteca there, and for cheap, too.

[diwitch]

Originally Posted by SkeeterN

Thank you Linda Sue, I will look for a brand that isn't Armour. Maybe I will look at Jungle Jim's when I go next to my parents.

It's in the mexican section. I was just looking at it yesterday. They have several different brands.

Di

[SkeeterN]

Originally Posted by diwitch

It's in the mexican section. I was just looking at it yesterday. They have several different brands.

Di

Threadjack of my own thread. My parents have lived in Fairfield (where Jungle Jim's is) for my whole life. I remember when this store was a road stand. It is famous all over the world now. What a cool store. Funny thing is, they live by this and rarely shop there.

[diwitch]

Originally Posted by SkeeterN

Threadjack of my own thread. My parents have lived in Fairfield (where Jungle Jim's is) for my whole life. I remember when this store was a road stand. It is famous all over the world now. What a cool store. Funny thing is, they live by this and rarely shop there.

Threadjack continued

I grew up here too and I also remember when it was a road stand. I live less than a mile away and shop there at once or twice a week.

I have lived all over the country and when people asked me what I missed about my hometown it's always...skyline chili and jungle jims.

You do know he is opening a second store, down by Eastgate?

Di

[SkeeterN]

Originally Posted by diwitch

Threadjack continued

I grew up here too and I also remember when it was a road stand. I live less than a mile away and shop there at once or twice a week.

I have lived all over the country and when people asked me what I missed about my hometown it's always...skyline chili and jungle jims.

You do know he is opening a second store, down by Eastgate?

Di

I heard that. But there are more cities than Cincinnati LOL Like up north (snort)

Don't you just love their bathrooms

[diwitch]

Originally Posted by SkeeterN

Don't you just love their bathrooms

Picture perfect bathrooms. One of these days I will have to take advantage of that 'photo op'.

I think my favorite think is the Robin Hood statue/mannequin whatever you call it in 'Sherwood Forrest'. Although that fire truck is pretty cool too.

Di

[KCSoccer]

Originally Posted by Linnylamb

Wow, KCSoccer, I have actually been to Deitrich's meats! It's funny that someone from Kansas City actually knows about this little place. Are you a transplant by any chance?

They are actually not Amish, but Pennsylvania Dutch. Not 100% sure, but I think we've used our credit card there. It's been a while since we've been there, so I can't remember clearly. Nice little family place with some good homemade things.

Thanks for the tip about finding lard there. I'll have to check it out. Ironically, I haven't used lard since my high carb days. My mom used to use it for her pie crusts, so I tried it out when I began making my own pies and cookies. Made a very tender, delicious baked good.

No, not a transplant. I actually read about it in a food magazine (Savuer? Fine Cooking?), how it made the best pie crusts. It's been a few years, but when I ordered I had to call in the order and then send them a check for the order. So, they may now accept credit cards. They were a pleasure to do business with.

The lard does make wonderful piecrusts BTW. It came in 1 lb. round plastic tubs (I ordered 3-4 lbs. and froze what I wasn't using right away.)

[LindaSue]

Originally Posted by Speck333

That made me think of "manteca", it's not a brand though, just what you call lard in Spanish. Probably still have to read the labels, though.

Yes, I checked the labels on the Mexican brands they sell around here and they're pretty much the same as Armour.

[RVcook]

I get my lard from the local meat market when I'm out (otherwise I get it with my yearly pork order). It comes in 1 lb. tubs, creamy white and NOTHING else added. It is easily frozen, but I also 'can' it for use when I make soap.

[kcjudi]

Bichelmeyers on 7th street in Kansas City, Ks sells it. I forgot the price but it was reasonable. I use it all the time

[Ghislaine]

My local health food store renders it themselves from local pigs so the porkyness of it varies a bit. I seem to mostly use it to cook my eggs!
I'm not sure regular grocery stores would have any brand that didn't have some partially hydrogenation!

[Amgarrett616]

Anyone remember the huge white cans they used to come in with the cow on the front that said "pure lard"? My grandma had one of those.

[KCSoccer]

Originally Posted by kcjudi

Bichelmeyers on 7th street in Kansas City, Ks sells it. I forgot the price but it was reasonable. I use it all the time

Thanks for the local source! I haven't been to Bichelmeyers in ages. I used to go there buy beef skirt steak (for real Texas fajitas), couldn't find it anywhere else in town.