Looking on the web, I found this neat page (Hungarian language) with the above photo of a Manglitsa. I hope Vanda or another helpful Magyar will tell us what's going on.
I'm skeptical that the pig was really 300kg (approx. 660 pounds). I really like how its folds of fat have mini folds of fat.
Below is a photo from flickr of someone's Mangalitsa fatback. You can see his other photos here.
Looking at the photos, it all seems a bit odd. If you don't know how good that fat tastes, it just looks gross. If you know how good it tastes, it makes your mouth water.
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The article is about a Thermal Spa in the town of Tiszafüred, by Lake Tisza.
The picture is to promote an event on December 27th, 2008. They were to butcher a 180 kg mangalitsa pig and have a sausage stuffing contest. Guests were welcome to put on an apron and pitch in. This was a "disznótoros" so the pig was made into various dishes right there. The menu included dishes of offal, meat, sausages, stuffed cabbage, fried blood with onions. Oh yeah, there was also "pálinka" a staple Hungarian brandy, distilled from fruit.
Apparently, this is tourist deal, for a set price you get 2 days in the hotel, meals, spa, disznótoros.
You know, you should take a disznótoros vacation in Hungary sometime.
Towards the end there is a quick rundown on the history of the mangalitsa. Interestingly, it says the the English word "bacon" originated from the Hungarian word "bakonyi." Bakony is a region of Hungari associated with mangalitsas. I have no idea it this is correct or they are just making it up. They add that the popular Pick salami was made exclusively from mangalitsa between 1869-1945.
You might be interested in this article.
One more thing. I found this very good English language article about the history of the mangalica.
By the way the second annual mangalica festival in Budapest is in the planning stages. There is a homepage though there is no content on it yet. May be worth keeping an eye on it.
Vanda, Thanks again for your comments. I'm very appreciative.
I think the idea of having a disznotoros at a spa is hilarious.I really should take a disznotoros vacation one day.
Could you please send me an email at hp@woolypigs.com? I have some specific questions I'd like to ask you.
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