Karen Resta Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 just about everyday they get a new pig and she indicated that the head is one of the desired parts of the roast pig. It has a lot more crispy skin, she explained. She sells the head for $5 but it is usually gone by noon. Well had to give it a try so I picked one up yesterday. The skin is fantastic but I may have bit off more than I can chew. It is about 7 to 8 pounds and large. Other than me, no one wants to touch it in my house. Oh well. I'd love to have a pig's head. If I ever make it to DC The Great Wall is now an early-morning priority. I actually tried to get a (fresh) pig's head from the vendors at the Farmer's Market here and (after a few startled looks accompanied by stutters of 'Wh wh what? You want the head? WHY?') I finally got a lead. (The reason I wanted the head was to make headcheese ha ha ha which of course sounds repulsive but I was just in the mood . . .) So I e-mailed the guy who was supposed to have a pig's head since he has pigs, and this is part of the e-mail I received in response: We just took some pigs to be processed and I inquired about getting a pigs head. The Federal Inspector told me that we could not keep the heads because they were shot in the head at the processing plant.Since all of our meat is Federally inspected we won't be able to get you a head. There are other farms that use custom processors and are not Federally inspected, they may be able to get you a head. No pig's head found yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soup Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 I'd love to have a pig's head. If I ever make it to DC The Great Wall is now an early-morning priority.I actually tried to get a (fresh) pig's head from the vendors at the Farmer's Market here and (after a few startled looks accompanied by stutters of 'Wh wh what? You want the head? WHY?') I finally got a lead. (The reason I wanted the head was to make headcheese ha ha ha which of course sounds repulsive but I was just in the mood . . .) So I e-mailed the guy who was supposed to have a pig's head since he has pigs, and this is part of the e-mail I received in response: No pig's head found yet. Go to El Grande on Backlick in sprinfield. I always see a pigs head in the meat case. If I remember correctly, around $20 for the whole head (and its pretty big). The one at GW is already cooked while the El Grande is fresh. Would love to hear you story of making head cheese. I haven't climb that mountain yet as I am the only one in my household who loves head cheese. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMatt Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Go to El Grande on Backlick in sprinfield. I always see a pigs head in the meat case. If I remember correctly, around $20 for the whole head (and its pretty big). The one at GW is already cooked while the El Grande is fresh. Would love to hear you story of making head cheese. I haven't climb that mountain yet as I am the only one in my household who loves head cheese. Actually it's now a Freshmart or something. They changed the main name for some reason. But, yeah, I do like them for meats. The fact it caters to both Koreans and Hispanics means you get some cool and different cuts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. B Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 No pig's head found yet. I've seen pig heads split in two on more than one occasion at the DC Farmer's Market near Florida & NY Avenues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen Resta Posted January 6, 2009 Author Share Posted January 6, 2009 I've seen pig heads split in two on more than one occasion at the DC Farmer's Market near Florida & NY Avenues. I'll add that Farmer's Market to the list of potential places to go to, then. My problem is usually time, with a teenage daughter generally alongside me who believes that before even entering DC the Tyson's Corner Malls require the attention usually given to a museum then afterwards the Georgetown shops require the attention generally given to Great Novels. Add a teenage son alongside who will demand equal time for visits to stores that stock pets and stuff for terrariums and I'm lucky if I am able to lobby for my third of time spent going where I would like. Add the fact that I usually get lost driving around, ending up in traffic jams centering around unusual happenings like fires and/or police activity with fire trucks trying to go the wrong way up a one lane one way street aiming directly at my car (of course it's always my car, this never happens to anyone else) and usually I just try to lobby for one good place to that I want to while trying to withstand the warring siblings who both are lobbying for their own stuff. Nice image, though. The split pig's head. I'm going to need to bring a small refrigerator that can be hooked up to the car to store it in. Now you've given me an idea. I could start a pig's head delivery service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielK Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Smith Meadows Farm, who has a stall at a number of local farmers markets, can get a pig's head on special order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escoffier Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I'll add that Farmer's Market to the list of potential places to go to, then...Nice image, though. The split pig's head.I think you should try metro to the Farmer's Market..a split pigs head should cause a bit of a sensation on your return to your parked-in-the-metro-lot car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdt Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I think you should try metro to the Farmer's Market..a split pigs head should cause a bit of a sensation on your return to your parked-in-the-metro-lot car. You should have seen the looks that I got walking to my car on K St. with a whole pig that I had just picked up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Johnston Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I so want to post a snarky comment about this.... You should have seen the looks that I got walking to my car on K St. with a whole pig that I had just picked up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mojoman Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 I will explain later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdt Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 I will explain later. Head cheese? When do you need this? If you don't need it asap, you can call the folks at EcoFriendly and see if they can deliver to one of the farmer's market. If you are at the DuPont market on Sunday stop by and chat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitman Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 The DC Farmers Market, entry either on New York or Florida Avenues NE. Look for the low, white, windowless building (it stands out amongst the warehouses). It has several butchers inside that have what you need. Drop by the legendaryLitteri's Italian Outfitters while you're in the 'hood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mojoman Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Thanks mdt and Waitman. It's for radiology research, not Andrew Zimmern-type culinary activities. Still, the fresher the better and it needs to still have the brain. Does anyone have any idea how much said head would cost? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunnyJohn Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soup Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 saw both pig and lamb heads in the frozen meat section at El Grande (the current name might be fresh something) in springfield this weekend. The price was amazingly cheap. Soup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deangold Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Warning.... Juvenile sexually based pun ahead. Danger Will Robinson!!! Danger Will Robinson!!!! saw both pig and lamb heads in the frozen meat section at El Grande (the current name might be fresh something) in springfield this weekend. The price was amazingly cheap. Soup Not for the pig and the lamb. Of course its all in a days' work for the chicken to produce an egg. That's why on the farm, its always better to get laid than to give a little head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madam Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 Steve at Let's Meat on the Avenue in Del Ray can get you one and will even clean out the ears (we know because we've bought one there). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnadoodle Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 I have plans to roast a whoIe pigs head and I just want to find if there are any new updates to this topic. I'm hoping to pick a 10-20 pound head for about a $1 or less per pound. Is this even possible anymore. I live in Rockville and asked someone at Great Wall on Hungerford. However, the person at the butcher section said that they don't carry pigs heads anymore. I also emailed Harvey's Market at Union Market in DC and they can get one for me for $2/lb which I feel may be tad bit pricey. Has anyone else found any other places that will sell a pig's head at my price point? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Dente Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Right after the wedding with my first future ex-wife, we went to my car to find a pigs head on the hood. There's some cosmic meaning there, but I don't know what it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 I have plans to roast a whoIe pigs head and I just want to find if there are any new updates to this topic. I'm hoping to pick a 10-20 pound head for about a $1 or less per pound. Is this even possible anymore. I live in Rockville and asked someone at Great Wall on Hungerford. However, the person at the butcher section said that they don't carry pigs heads anymore. I also emailed Harvey's Market at Union Market in DC and they can get one for me for $2/lb which I feel may be tad bit pricey. Has anyone else found any other places that will sell a pig's head at my price point? Lord have mercy. Has no one here read "Angela's Ashes?" We are SUCH privileged people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnadoodle Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Lord have mercy. Has no one here read "Angela's Ashes?" We are SUCH privileged people. I have not read that book yet. Also, were my questions offensive or inappropriate in any way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 I have not read that book yet. Also, were my questions offensive or inappropriate in any way? No, not at all. It's just that Frank McCourt's family in Ireland was given a pigs head from the St. Vincent dePaul Society and it was a sign that you were really, really poor and had to depend on charity. While I have no issue with the whole nose-to-tail use of any animal, it just struck me as being ironic that you would even have to do a search for something that once was a symbol of shame (although it shouldn't have been). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soup Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 go to fresh world in springfield va. They always have pigs head. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitman Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 I have plans to roast a whoIe pigs head and I just want to find if there are any new updates to this topic. I'm hoping to pick a 10-20 pound head for about a $1 or less per pound. Is this even possible anymore. I live in Rockville and asked someone at Great Wall on Hungerford. However, the person at the butcher section said that they don't carry pigs heads anymore. I also emailed Harvey's Market at Union Market in DC and they can get one for me for $2/lb which I feel may be tad bit pricey. Has anyone else found any other places that will sell a pig's head at my price point? You might give Canales Meat in Eastern Market a ring:(202) 547-0542;canalesqm@aol.com. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnadoodle Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 No, not at all. It's just that Frank McCourt's family in Ireland was given a pigs head from the St. Vincent dePaul Society and it was a sign that you were really, really poor and had to depend on charity. While I have no issue with the whole nose-to-tail use of any animal, it just struck me as being ironic that you would even have to do a search for something that once was a symbol of shame (although it shouldn't have been). I see. It definitely is crazy where I'm having a hard time trying to find something that most people would be happy to give away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnadoodle Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 You might give Canales Meat in Eastern Market a ring:(202) 547-0542;canalesqm@aol.com. Thanks for the tip. I'm still waiting to hear back from them. I'll update this post if I hear back from them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnadoodle Posted December 14, 2015 Share Posted December 14, 2015 Just an update for everyone. Union Market was selling whole pig heads for $1.99/lb and they just need a few days notice. Union Meat Co. in Eastern market had them frozen for $2.79/lb and they are about 16 to 20lbs each. I managed to get a free one from a friend and the head weighed about 15 pounds. The people at Great Wall in Rockville said that they did not carry pig heads ( I went 2 different times and 2 different people gave the same answer.) The biggest issue was removing all the hair. It took about an hour with a sharp knife and a bunch of disposable razor blades. Not fun. I ended up just salting the head and baking at 375'F for 1 hour and then 325'F for 3 hours. I also basted with a honey water mixture 3 times about 30 minutes before pulling the head out of the oven. Everything was cooked, but I think the meat would have been more tender if cooked for another 2-3 hours at 325'F. However, the pig head tacos still came out amazing. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted December 14, 2015 Share Posted December 14, 2015 The biggest issue was removing all the hair. It took about an hour with a sharp knife and a bunch of disposable razor blades. Not fun. I wonder if there's some sort of soaking method for making the hair easier to remove - people who do this type of thing in bulk should know. I'm willing to bet smokinjarhead would know this - I'll write him and see if he'll chime in. (Great post, btw!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted December 14, 2015 Share Posted December 14, 2015 When I've cooked a whole pig in the past, I used a kitchen torch to burn off the hair. Do it outside because of the smell, but it's much faster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnadoodle Posted December 14, 2015 Share Posted December 14, 2015 I was going to scald the head to get rid of the hair, but I did not have a stock pot big enough to fit it. Because I live in an apartment, I decided that burning the hair off a pig head either inside or outside was not worth the hassle. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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