posted February 28, 2004 03:13 AM            

For years I have been pondering if this was even possible until I learned a Newfoundland recipe that will allow us to store meat with out the need for refrigeration.

1) Sterilize some mason jars and place a chunk of pork fat in the bottom of jar.

2) Take UNCOOKED meat ( beef, pork, chicken)and cut it into little bite size chunks.

3) Place meat chunks into the jars until they are about 3/4 full. Salt&Pepper can be sprinkled on the meat if desired.

4) Place a chunk of pork fat on top of the meat. ( there is now a chunk of pork fat at the bottom of the jar and on top of the meat)

5) Fill the bottles of meat with cold water to the neck of the jar.

6) Screw the lid onto the jar but NOT TOO TIGHT.

7) Place the bottle/bottles of meat in a pot of boiling water for 3 hours. Be sure to add water to the pot as some water will evaporate during this process.

8) After three hours of boiling the meat will be well cooked and the pork fat will seal the meat from air thus preventing spoilage.

9) Use tongs to remove the bottled meat from the boiling water and tighten the lids on the jars.

10) Let the bottles of meat cool and you will hear a popping sound as the lid seals in the freshness.

This simple recipe will allow you to store the meat unrefrigerated for years. I can also tell you that the meat is delicious and you won't need a knife to cut it because it just falls apart.

Robert