Pig Roast Theme Menus: #1 – The Pitmaster’s Pig Pickin’ Party

Sure, with La Caja China we know that we can roast up an awesome whole pig that will knock the socks off our guests, but, alas, man cannot live by pig alone (can he?)…you gotta have side dishes!

Now I like themes…every year on my daughter’s birthday, we have a luau. Every November, we host an Old Fashioned Southern Thanksgiving…you get the idea.

So, here are four fun theme dinners you can host, with your La Caja China roast pig as the centerpiece…

The Pitmaster’s Pig Pickin’’
The Island Luau
A Night in Havana
The Sultan’s Feast

This time, let’s take a look at The Pitmaster’s Pig Pickin’

The Pitmaster’s Pig Pickin’          

The pig pickin’ is a significant part of the culture of the South; ideal for church gatherings, community gatherings (“dinner on the grounds”) or family reunions, and they can be held year-round, thanks in part to the region’s mild winters.

Pig pickin’s are also popular amongst the most devoted tailgaters at college football games across the south.

The pig pickin’ has been long associated with politics; many local political parties and politicians still use the pig pickin’ to attract people to meetings and campaign rallies.

When the cooking is complete, the meat should ideally be tender to the point of falling off of the bone. The meat is then either chopped or pulled into traditional Carolina-style pork barbecue, or it is picked off the hog itself by the guests.

It is from the latter that the gathering gains its name.

This is old fashioned pit barbeque at its best! Offer your guests a North Carolina whole pig pickin’ hot from you La Caja China, with a variety of traditional sauces from mild to spicy.  Side dish options could include a hush-puppies, tangy coleslaw, slow smoked beans, old fashioned macaroni and & cheese, and cornbread or potato rolls.

Party ideas: 

Toss a few hay bales in the backyard (or around the garage) for seating, add some apple crates for side stables, a couple of pails of shell-on roasted peanuts, bust out the mason jars for your beverage of choice (sweet tea, beer, and soft drinks are often served), and put on your favorite hoe-down music! Yee-Haw!

Set up a couple of horseshoe pits out back and and host a tournament.

You can find many of these recipes online, or pick up a copy of “La Caja China Cooking: The Secret to Perfect Roasting”, which includes step-by-step instructions for Whole Pig Pickin’ in La Caja China.

Be sure to take a look at out latest recipes collection, “La Caja China World: Roasting Box Recipes from Around the Globe” as well, for exotic and delicious twists on cooking with your La Caja China.

Here’s one you won’t find in the cookbooks:

Perk’s Pig Pickin’ Injection

4 cups apple cider
2 cups cider vinegar
1 cup water
1 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup salt-based pork rub (use the same rub as on your pig)
1 cup brown sugar

Bring to simmer to dissolved salts & sugars.

Cool to room temp.

Makes enough brine for 1-85lb pig