You might also be interested in reading my post How to Cook with a Wood Stove.
Locally Raised Pork
We no longer purchase our meat from the grocery store. All of our poultry is raised at home and we buy grass-fed beef and naturally raised pork from local farmers. I do occasionally pick up a few packages of brats (we are outside of Chicago, after all) from the local butcher. I love knowing that our meat comes from small local farmers.
Use the bones to make bone broth. You should get two batches out of them. Making bone broth makes the bones soft and mushy. Easy to grind. Good luck!
Thanks for sharing, Courtney!
Hi Lisa lynn Are your pork hocks smoked ? Do you have a pressure cooker ? Maybe that would soften up the bones
Hi Ruth,
The hocks were not smoked. I have a pressure canner, which can be used as a pressure cooker, but I haven’t used it for that yet. I’ll have to think about trying that. Thanks for the suggestion!
if they are warm and softened maybe try grinding them in a hand grinder (like you would use for grinding burger..
Hmmm…I have a hand grinder. I’m not sure bones like this will fit. It’s worth a try. 🙂 Thanks for the suggestion, Carolyn!
I wish I was at your house for supper.
Lol! The more the merrier!
I think its a great idea. Chickens will eat anything, alive or dead, the ground bone meal could work well in the garden I’d bet.
My thoughts exactly, Margie! Only problem is, I haven’t found a way to grind them up. I tried smashing them with a hammer…let’s just say that it wasn’t my best idea ever. 😉
I have to admit I’ve never tried cooking ham hocks. But your meals sounds delicious!
Thank you! It was very yummy 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!