In the past, when people had to lift or prepare their own food, they were less picky about what crossed their lips. Something that we might now consider disgusting was heaven sent to those in search of food and appreciated for what it was: life-sustaining food.
Consider the Native American tribes that hunted bison. Every part of that huge creature was taken advantage of. From meat, organs, bones, and skin, tribes like the Lakota who roamed the northern plains prepared food, clothing, tarps, and even weapons. Nothing was wasted.
Many of our parents and grandparents remember their relatives raising cows, pigs, chickens, and more to provide food for their families. Again, none of that was wasted. Even today, many older members of our local South Coast community include animal tongues, brains, feet, organs, blood, tails, and even ears as part of their diet. Why? Aren’t there grocery stores with more civilized options?
It’s because discarding those things is a waste.
My father, who is almost 90 years old, is one of those people. My father-in-law, who is 91 years old, is another. Both men have a huge appetite for things that many of us may find disgusting, such as pig’s feet. Pickled pork feet, to be exact, although I understand that boiled pork feet is the cat’s meow to some. Not so for this cowboy.
For many years my father-in-law asked me to find him pickled pork feet in a jar because his local market was not available. I did. So this Christmas I looked everywhere for a jar of pickled pork feet for my father-in-law, to no avail.
The crowd of pickled pig feet is a dying breed, therefore fewer stores stock the stuff. Price Rite on Hathaway Road used to carry them, but no more; neither did Market Basket. The current supply chain crisis has made it difficult for stores that still carry pickled pig’s feet to obtain them. Xavier’s Market on North Front Street carries them when available, as does The Butcher Shop on Dartmouth Street. Nor did he have them in stock.
My search for pickled pork feet was unsuccessful, although I have been told that I can order them online and have them shipped by Amazon.
The very idea of stuffing a pickle juice-soaked pork leg into my mouth gives me a gag reflex. Have you ever eaten one? Would you do it
Southeastern Massachusetts has quite a diverse culture, so I’m sure there are some cool things besides the pig’s feet that are eaten around here. What are some things that others might find unusual that are part of your diet? Share recipes if you have any.
LOOK: History of food from the year you were born
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