Tuesday, March 23, 2010

First Mangalitsa Processing Tutorial Released


Christoph Wiesner has released the first edition of "Mangalitsa Butchery". It covers how to cut a half pig into usable cuts using seam butchery techniques optimized for Mangalitsa pigs.

There are many different ways to cut up a pig. The techniques shown in his document show how to produce a number of high-value cuts via seam butchery. In comparison, typical Anglo-American techniques are easier, cheaper and more wasteful. Because of these differences, Wooly Pigs uses American butchers trained in Christoph's techniques, to produce our Mangalitsa cuts.

I haven't seen English-language materials on seam butchery, and even compared with the foreign material I've seen, Christoph's material is superior for learning. The Wiesners are doing Americans a big favor by producing this guide and making it freely available.

You can download the PDf here.

PS: a lot of people who reach this blog via search engines are looking for "how to cut up a pig". This is where you want to be. If you can find a better guide on how to cut up a pig, please let me know.

You can order rib pullers (as used in the tutorial) here.

9 comments:

Courtney said...

Thanks, Heath - This is really useful!

Heath Putnam said...

Courtney - that's the point. Please share the info with people you think it might help.

Unknown said...

This looks great! Though, when I try to open the document, I get a blank page. Save the .pdf and try to open it and it says it's corrupted.

Heath Putnam said...

Wes - please try downloading it from here: http://woolypigs.com/downloads/

Many people have been able to download it successfully from the server.

Unknown said...

Ever consider having a hans on class here?

Heath Putnam said...

Bruce -- Not only did I consider it - but I organized a few classes here a while ago: http://woolypigs.blogspot.com/2009/01/wiesner-visit.html

It takes a huge amount of time and effort to pull off two 3-day classes - which is about what it takes to cover expenses.

Why do you ask?

Unknown said...

Sorry I missed it! Definitely interested. How many do you need to make it worthwhile?

Heath Putnam said...

Bruce -- I'll give you a call about it.

Heath Putnam said...

Bruce - you aren't the Bruce I thought you were.

It would take approximately 20 people, paying $1500 each for two 3-day classes to make it work. I can't see organizing that in the near future.