This is the time of year when head cheese seems to be popular. We always have it around the holidays. Most of the stuff found in supermarkets does not compare to the home made kind. Most store bought is too gelatinous for my taste. Probably because the list of ingredients includes gelatin. There is no gelatin in home made head cheese. All that is needed is a hog's head, water and spices.
To make head cheese, clean the hog's head by removing the snout, eyes, ears, brains and all the skin. Trim away all the fat from the head and cut it into four pieces. Place in a crock or enamel container. Cover with a solution of 1/2-cup canning salt to 1-gallon water. Make sure the pieces are completely covered. Let it soak for 5-hours to draw out all the blood.
Next drain the salt solution and rinse several times with clear water. Place in large pot and cover with water. At this time we usually put the heart in the pot too. Bring the water to a boil and cook until the meat falls off the bones. Let cool until it is cool enough to handle and pick all meat from the bones. Strain the broth and measure 2-quarts.
Next chop the meat into small pieces, there should be about six pounds. Put the meat into a clean pot with the 2-quarts of broth. Add 3-tablespoons salt, 4-teaspoons black pepper, 3-teaspoons red pepper, 2-1/2-teaspoons allspice and 3-teaspoons cloves. Mix together well and bring to a boil. Simmer for 1/2-hour. Cool slightly and pour into pans. I use either 9x13-inch pans or loaf pans. Refrigerate overnight before slicing.
I like head cheese sliced thin on a piece of rye bread with yellow mustard and raw onion. Yummy. If there is any left it can be frozen. Now, on to the pig's feet.
