Lost Appalachian Food Traditions | Preserving Pork & Knowledge|December 2025

Before freezers and grocery stores, families preserved pork by hand to feed themselves through the winter. Today, Andy is curing pork the old-fashioned Appalachian way inside our meat house. In this video, we salt hog jowls, make fatback, and cure hams, shoulders, and bacon using time-honored methods passed down through generations. This is real food and a tradition we’re proud to keep alive. These skills are disappearing, but they once fed entire families. Our hope is to preserve not just the meat, but the knowledge behind it. If you value old ways, self-sufficiency, and Appalachian traditions, we’re glad you’re here. Find full bacon video here https://youtu.be/_q_jQ0rJE-k Full ham video https://youtu.be/iq6y61Ak7TY Everything but the squeal playlist https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnKpaj6ZJDIo--4j5rBntxB_x70i_NZY4&si=HLtckJeCdx990ExQ Food Safety Disclaimer: This video shows how we cure pork for our own family using traditional methods. It is shared for educational and cultural purposes only. Anyone attempting meat curing should follow a trusted, tested recipe or guidance from a reliable source to ensure food safety. Sign up for our email newsletter “Musings from the Homestead” for stories, recipes & behind-the-scenes updates: https://truegritappalachianways.com Follow us on our official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/share/CJ5AgCV613gVgAbJ/?mibextid=LQQJ4d Join our Facebook community group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/639624823908914 Shop our favorites here! https://truegritappalachianways.com/shop-my-favorites