Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Rendering lard & Zucchini Galette

Zucchini Galette

I saw this recipe over at Smitten Kitchen a few weeks ago and have been waiting for a nice, cool day to try it.
Yesterday, Labor Day, was that fateful day.
I will never look at the lowly zucchini in the same way again.
This went beyond all my expectations and was simply:

DELICIOUS.
Really.
Truly.
Amazingly delicious.

Teriyaki grilled chicken thighs, coleslaw/apple salad, and THE zucchini galette

Just look at the colors on that plate!
Everything tasted as good as it looks.
I want to re-create this again today!
And maybe, tomorrow?

Rendering lard

I bought about 3# of leaf lard Saturday at the Fulton Farmers Market, knowing that I would have some time over the weekend to render it.
Takes a mighty long while to render 3# on a low flame.
Hours.

As the lard was melting, I ladled it out through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.


Goodbye Crisco....Hello lard!

Poured it into pint containers and refrigerated.

I will freeze 2 of the containers (good for at least a year)
and refrigerate the other.

I don't use a whole heck of a lot of "lard", but I would rather use the real deal when I DO use it, than the nasty shortening that is sitting (WAS sitting!) at the way back of my cupboard.

And I've heard tell that french fries are THE best when cooked in lard.
And biscuits, too!
And...pie crusts!

So...tho I RARELY make any of the above, I'll be ready if and when I do!

Keep in touch, eh?

xoxo,
Cindy
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14 comments:

Lady Farmer said...

I have heard that lard is great for pie crusts, etc. but I wonder about it's 'health' benefits compared to Crisco? Any thoughts there? And what is 'leaf' lard?
Inquiring minds want to know!
The Galette looks delightful and I don't even like Zucchini! ;~P
Blessings!

Wendy (The Local Cook) said...

that looks so fun! I am amazed at how much you get done.

Unknown said...

You'll have to let us know how the results on rendered lard vs. crisco. Really, just the sound of and pictures of the lard make it seem like the ulitmate choice.

take care-
cindy

Faith said...

I've never seen anyone actually render their own lard before. I do buy it and use it, it's waaaaaaaay better than crisco junk.

I prefer butter in everything, but the water content can cause trouble when baking, so there are times when something like lard is just plain better. Crisco is like poison. LOL

Of all the things I've used for frying, I love coconut oil the best. So far, potatoes can't be beat when I use that. YUM!

So I vote butter, coconut oil, lard, in that order; margarine and Crisco are on the deadly list. LOL

I'm so impressed. I've never seen (nor heard of) 'leaf' lard, and certainly not at a farmer's market. Cool beans. Something else I've got to learn about now.

~Faith

Katie Zeller said...

Love the galette! And I still happen to have zucchini in my garden....
As to the lard... I can buy duck fat, goose fat and lard at the supermarket.... but not Crisco. LOL

Jayme Goffin, The Coop Keeper said...

I tried to buy lard last week at the grocery store to make a pie crust and I just couldn't do it. I just couldn't stomach the thought - I had a slice of apple cranberry pie a friend had made and I remarked on her crust after I'd eaten it. It was the best crust I ever tasted. You guessed it. Lard. Maybe I'll try to buy it again!

Hot Belly Mama said...

Sigh.... I wish we were neighbors.

Pioneer Beauty said...

Dear Cindy,
Can I come and Live with you or should I say stay with you for about a week to Glean some wonderful things that The Lord has taught you..at this moment I am wishing I was your Neighbor...I love the Lard Posting..I was actually just needing some for the Beans I just made...
Thank you for sharing that..
Angelina

Maria said...

Hi Cindy!
Oh your recent posts... I can smell the aroma from all the way over here in upstate, NY!
I just printed the zucchini galette recipe from the other blog! Thanks Cindy... got zuch's coming from the neighbors and my own garden! wow!
this recipe looks amazing too... can't wait to try it.
I'll have ricotta on my list for tomorrow!
Hope all is well! How is your knee? all's well I pray!
*Maria

Pam said...

My Aunt used to use lard in all her cooking and she was the best cook! Maybe it was because of the lard.

The galette looks beautiful and delicious!

lydia said...

I use lard all the time!! I use it to fry with and bake with. I just made Nourishing Traditions almond cookies and used lard instead of butter and boy were they amazing!! Fries are great in lard, everything is better with lard. And did you know that just one tablespoon of truly pastured lard has 1000 IU of vitamin D in it!!! That's reason alone to eat it!! Enjoy your lard, good thing you ditched the crisco ;)

Renata said...

You are so brave for rendering that lard - well done!! It's something I've only read a teeny tiny bit about & wouldn't be brave enough to try yet.

Your meal looks delicious - & I have to say I love your plate - just beautiful!
Have a great day
Renata:)

Melodie said...

Wow! I have read on health sites that "crisco' is terrible for you and that lard ,especially organic, is the best choice. Way to go girl!

Unknown said...

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