Category Archives: People

Harold Jones’ Head Cheese Recipe

People

My husband’s brother’s wife’s father, Harold, was an amazing man. Dean and I often joked that if an apocalypse happened we’d want to be somewhere near Harold because he knew how to live off the land.

Years ago, friends of my parents somehow ended up with a pig head, or perhaps a whole pig, and said they wanted to make head cheese. I knew that Harold had made it so I asked him for a recipe. He gave me detailed instructions on how to make head cheese. I just relocated the recipe. I fear I never gave it to my parent’s friends. Or maybe I made a copy and gave it to my mom to give them.

Harold Jones’ Head Cheese

  • 1 head of pig, split head in half.
  • 2 T. Salt
  • 1 crushed bay leaf
  • 2 cups vinegar
  • 1 T. Louisiana hot sauce
  • 1 T. mixed spices (garlic powder, onion powder, sage, mace and cloves)
  • 2 gelatin packages to insure firmness

I do the splitting with an ax. Remove snout, brains, skin, eyes, ears and any extra fat. Soak in cold water and clean. Quarter head if so desired, then put in pan of water that [the water] doesn’t quite cover the meat. Boil until meat falls off bone easily. Separate meat from bone and grind to desired firmness. Let brother cool so that the lard comes to the top. Then scrape off the lard and dispose. Mix broth with meat to make a soft batter. Add the seasonings after the batter comes to a boil put in glass cake pan or bread pan to cool. Cut to desired size.Wrap and freeze. Head cheese will stay in the refrigerator for months.

Note: This recipe is for about 3 lbs of meat. When I measure the spices I sometimes spill a lot. 2 cups of vinegar makes a strong mixture. But the twins and myself like the vinegar. Hope you have good luck.

Harold

P. S. You can also use a 3 lb pork roast

Harold’s wife Gladys added a note as well:

I told Harold I didn’t think you would have access to a pig head so you can easily buy a roast pork.

Gladys

Letter from Grandma Green: September 1973

People, Things

Dear one and all,

Please don’t think I forgot your anniversary ((Mom and Dad’s anniversary was September 4th so this was probably written shortly after that)). I tried looking for some cards that I had bought sometime ago, but just couldn’t find them, but will soon as I’m doing a bit of cleaning every day. This card will have to do. Hope you had a perfect day. Imagine you all went out to eat some place, and made a big thing of it.

Boy it was chilly this morning, down to 49°. I turned the heater on and then burned a bit of wood.

Sure miss that Dona ((After Grandpa Green died I spent several weeks with Grandma. We bonded more than ever that summer)). Haven’t anyone to plan meals for, although I did eat good last night, steak, salad and the whole bit. Dog wants in.

Miss her and so does Chubby ((Chubby was Grandma’s beagle mix)). Chubby wouldn’t eat a thing until Tuesday.

Chubby January of the year this letter was written
Chubby the year before this letter was written

Must hurry this along so I can get it up to the mail box. Miss Dona there too ((Until reading this, I didn’t realize I was helpful to her)).

I’m O.K. miss Dad ((Grandpa died of complications from a leg amputation in July of 1973. He was a good man)), but things will get better, just have to keep an open mind and remember everything good about him.

Fished last evening, caught one small bass, one bluegill, and bullhead and a dog fish. Yes Dona, I took a hammer and killed the bullhead, this time I made sure it was dead ((there must have been an incident where one of us was stung by the bullhead’s stinger)).

I’m so glad that the kids are coming up for a week.

I’m going to Jim Lorentz’s wedding the 22nd. Reception at Lehman’s. He’s getting married and no job.

Write again soon, you two,

Love,

Mom

Letter from Grandma Green: May 13, 1974

People, Things

Dear Pat, El ((Most people called Dad Al, but his name was Elvin, so Grandma called him El for a joke)) and Dona and Kevin;

Nice to know you were thinking of me yesterday. It was rather lonesome hoping someone would have called, but no one did. The boys sent me cards, but a note in his ((I’m thinking this was Uncle Dick)), letting me know their dog had her puppies, six in all. He called me a couple of weeks ago, wishing me happy Mother’s Day as he thought the others would maybe call yesterday. He and the children are coming up over Memorial Day. maybe his neighbor’s two children would come along.

I sent Dona a package, did she ever get it? You didn’t mention it in your letter. The only thing Chris said about Vilma ((Vilma was an exchange student who decided not to stay with us after a couple weeks)) was that she was leaving that Saturday, also she was kinda  funny girl.

We  have had nothing but cold and rainy weather since Thursday of last week. A couple of days we had frost, like this morning.

Rained very hard this morning, and who should pay me a visit, but Slim ((Slim was a hermit who lived in the woods. He picked mushrooms that my grandparent’s ate. He was Swedish. Apparently he was also a drinker)). Asked him to use the garage door as I didn’t want mud on the rug, then he said he didn’t know I had rugs. Really he wasn’t drunk, because when I let him in, I asked, also I could tell. After he was here about 1 hour told him he’d have to leave as I had to get dressed and had things to do. He asked if I had any whisky to sell, said no, but would sell him two beers, he gave me $1.00 and I gave him no change. Twice he came over under the weather and I told him in no uncertain terms not to do it again.

Yes, Verna and Les were up, went out with them Saturday, enjoyed myself. They told me that Jack ((Jack was a friend of my parent’s. Chris, mentioned earlier is his daughter)) was up, I didn’t see him, so I didn’t’ get your kiss.

I’ve finished my bedroom, also the hall, put up plaid wallpaper, it made it lighter, looks nice. Have some paper left, and thought I’d use it in the bathroom, but here wasn’t enough. So if I ever get to Rice Lake I’ll buy some there. Should have thought of that when Chris and I were up there.

No garden for me, I will plant the tomatoes that are started in the garage. I’ll go down to Slim’s and help myself. Also maybe Jim Lorentz will share his.

Bye now, love too all. I’m fine, hope you are too.

Mom