Here we go again. My first real job on the butchering crew (the whole family) was stirring lard as it rendered. We had a cast iron cauldron that heated over a wood fire, and a paddle that was shaped to the contour of the cauldron. I stood there by the hour, stirring.

We used the cracklings almost exclusively as dog food. Not that the dog feeder didn't take a piece or two at every feeding :)

My mom's pie crusts made with lard were exquisite. She made a treat with the left over. Rolled out like a regular crust then topped with heavy cream and cinnamon. Bake 15 minutes and we children went completely crazy. It was soooooo good.

Thank you once again. Seems a regular thing :)