Original Ponhaws - Pannhas - Ponhaus - Scrapple

Molly53's Note:

An heirloom, butchering-time recipe impractical for most modern cooks. Thrifty farmers of the time used everything but the squeal. This is very similar to the more familiar scrapple. Oatmeal scrapple may be made using this recipe subbing that grain for the cornmeal. From the Pennsylvania Dutch chapter of the United States Regional Cookbook, Culinary Arts Institute of Chicago, 1947. Posting it as a historical novelty.

• Total Time: 3 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 3 hrs

Ingredients:

Yield: 6 pounds

• 1 pig head
• 5 quarts water
• 4 teaspoons salt
• 4 teaspoons pepper
• 1 teaspoon sage
• 3 cups cornmeal (amount is approximate)

Directions:

1. Separate pig head into halves.
2. Remove eyes and brains.
3. Scrape head and clean thoroughly.
4. Place in a large kettle, cover with water and simmer gently for 2 or 3 hours (or until meat falls off the bone).
5. Skim grease from the surface; remove meat, chop finely and return to broth.
6. Season with salt, pepper and sage to taste.
7. Sift in corn meal, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thickened to the consistency of soft mush.
8. Cook very slowly for one hour over low heat.
9. When sufficiently cooked, pour into greased loaf pans and store in a cool place until ready to use.
10. To serve, cut into 1/2" slices and fry until crisp and brown.