Southern Country Food... The Roasted Pig

serenity5689

We are having Southern food at our reception (party). We want to get a whole pig for the event. Anyone know how we can get one and how much weight of a pig would feed 50 people (this is going to be a small event). Ofc, we will have a few roasted chickens and some beef added to the menu but our MAIN meat course is the PIG.

Other parts of the menu:

Collard Green (fresh from the farm market)

Green Beans (fresh from the farm market)

Carrots (Fresh from farm market)

Baked Mac N Cheese

Baked Beans

Mash Potatoes

Fried Okras
Melon salads and more

(yes several family member's kitchens are going to be used. The whole family is pitching in on the cooking). Meat is going to be cooked on site in a smoker trailer.

LeiselEB

I would talk to a butcher regarding how much meat and the correct ways to prepare it. 

That's great if family is willing to help out and cook, but please don't ask anyone to cook - if they offer, great, but if not, don't expect family to help out. 

serenity5689

Oh, Im not expecting anyone to help, it's a family tradition on my husband's side for ANY kind of family gathering (birthdays, weddings, reunions, etc). His grandmother and aunts already asked if they can cook for the reception. Husband's family does the cooking, my family does the rest of the stuff. It's also traditional for my side but everyone is flying to Florida from California, Washington, and Arkansas, no one is residenced in Florida so they asked to make the decorations and stuff instead.

serenity5689

Totally agree, StageManager. I even had my husband run to McDonalds and get me something to eat just because I typed all that food. LOL

kmmssg

That will be one delicious meal!  Are you smoking the pig yourselves or hiring it out?  You could call someone who does it as their job and ask about servings, etc.  I do know one good size pig feeds a LOT of people!!

MairePoppy

You should post on your local board to see if there is a butcher in your area that sells whole pigs. Get advice on size and length of cooking time from the butcher. I've only been to one pig roast and the pig took much longer to cook than the experienced cook planned, so you will have to figure on some flexible timing. The cook spent most of his time checking, and basting the main course, but the end results were delicious. Our local butcher sells whole uncooked and cooked pigs, complete with an apple in the mouth and a rosemary necklace.

*edit - spelling

alithebride

cut down on the meat and pay for your guests drinks.

serenity5689

The Guys are really looking fowards to cooking it themselves. We already have someone who owns the smoker, we just need the pig and since this is my first time doing this, Im kinda clueless on how much PIG I need to get. 

ChristineNB

I think your menu looks great.  I especially like that despite the fact you are doing a Southern Roasted Pig you still seem to have plenty of options for any vegetarian guests.  What are you having for dessert?

serenity5689

There are no vegetarian guests. This is family and close friends and everyone are REDNECKS. HEAVY meat eaters. My brother in law's wedding coming up in june, he is cooking up a bunch of Deer and Boar that he has hunted himself. mmm cant wait for that.

OBX2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_southern-country-food-the-roasted-pig?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:3e2167e3-13b2-4666-ae5a-dc108ce49d48Post:2cdee953-78bb-4fd7-b0c4-060e0bb0e17c">Re: Southern Country Food... The Roasted Pig</a>:
[QUOTE]There are no vegetarian guests. This is family and close friends and everyone are REDNECKS. HEAVY meat eaters. My brother in law's wedding coming up in june, he is cooking up a bunch of Deer and Boar that he has hunted himself. mmm cant wait for that.
Posted by serenity5689[/QUOTE]

Did you find your answer yet?  My brother roasts pigs for weddings/vow renewals all the time.  I can ask if you'd like?

serenity5689

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_southern-country-food-the-roasted-pig?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:3e2167e3-13b2-4666-ae5a-dc108ce49d48Post:f14830af-7f01-45b5-9615-4c0a76132dca">Re: Southern Country Food... The Roasted Pig</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Southern Country Food... The Roasted Pig : Did you find your answer yet?  My brother roasts pigs for weddings/vow renewals all the time.  I can ask if you'd like?
Posted by OBX2011[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>Yea, if you can do that for me, that would be great. All i need to know is what good size pig is ideal for feed a group of average 50 people.</div>

OBX2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.weddings.com/Sites/Weddings/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_southern-country-food-the-roasted-pig?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:3e2167e3-13b2-4666-ae5a-dc108ce49d48Post:07c5d23b-4174-4718-9470-7fa75dc4dd2f">Re: Southern Country Food... The Roasted Pig</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Southern Country Food... The Roasted Pig : Yea, if you can do that for me, that would be great. All i need to know is what good size pig is ideal for feed a group of average 50 people.
Posted by serenity5689[/QUOTE]

Brother said about 100lbs should do it :)  You will have leftovers I am sure

Even with a pig that large, you are only going to get about 75% of it being actual meat.  The rest is fat and bones and whatnot.