Warning: If you don’t want to see photos of a cooked pig, you might want to skip this post.
Thumbs up to a fantastic pig roast!!! 
It truly took a village to put on yesterday’s Pig Party. Mike, Jim, and Erin spent countless hours prepping, cooking, and helpingΒ Mal and meΒ with anything and everything that we needed. Additionally, our guests offered to bring side dishes, desserts, bottled water, and other items to the party.Β Yesterday’s event was definitelyΒ a team effort! Many thanks to everyone to helped!
Yesterday morning, the five of us were up and ready to go by 7:00 AM. The guys got the pig ready for cooking while Erin and I went in search of breakfast. Naturally, we decided on bagels and Marylou’s iced coffees.
Once we ate breakfast, Erin and I got busy in the kitchen preparing State Fair Potato Salad and Pasta Salad with Mozzarella, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Olives for the party. (FYI: The pasta salad was awesome. I will definitely make it again in the future.)
At one point, it started to downpour, but, thankfully, the rain cleared up and held off for the rest of the afternoon.
Several hours later, just as our guests started to arrive, the pig was finished cooking. Hooray!
While the pig cooled, we enjoyed Round 1 of eating.
We had lighter fare, including fruit salad, Greek salad, chips, pickles.
And pulled pork sliders! Yummmmm!
(The pulled pork sliders were from a different cut of meat and prepared separately.)
Doggie piranhas.
Once the pig had a chance to cool, we prepared it to present to our guests.
Β 
But, before we brought it out, the guys made a slideshow that showed the whole process from start to finish– how we deboned, stuffed, and cooked the pig for our guests.
I think they liked it!
It definitely made the experience seem all the more special to us.
Then, it was time to cut open the pig. Mal did the honors.
Inside was deliciousness: sausage, apples, fennel, carrots, onionsβΒ¦ mmm!
Round 2 of eating!
Round 3 of eating!
At this point, I stopped documenting the Pig Party and drank copious amount of White Sangria and socialized with friends instead. Things went well into the evening with the last of our guests leaving around midnight. It was quite the event!
I’m off to TechMunch later this morning. I’m speaking on a panel about marketing your blog. Wish me luck!
188 Comments
You didn’t put an apple in it’s mouth!
Looks like so much fun. I wish I could have been there to meet your cute neighbor! I love the pic of the dog salivating while Mal cuts the pig open.
@Theodora: LOL!
Great pics as always! The food looks so so good
Wow, looks awesome and sounds like you had a great time! Good luck at TechMunch today!
LOVE the watermelon pig! Do you make that yourself? So creative!
@Kayla @ Sprouty Buns: Elizabeth from On Tap for Today made it. Super cute, right?!
I came across your blog & just love it!
& I’m glad that I could be inducted with a photo of a cooked pig π
1. The watermelon pig made me laugh out loud. Love it.
2. As a native Rhode Islander, I am pleased to see (what I think is!) Calise bakery bread at your feast. Good choice ; )
Love the watermelon pig!
Looks like it was a great party, and that watermelon pig is the greatest! So…will you be sharing that slideshow on the blog…?? π
@Kierstan @ Life {and running} in Iowa: OMG! No! LOL! π
That looked awesome and totally authentic. You guys looked like you had so much fun.
My daughter and I made your peanut butter cookies last night! They too were awesome! Thanks π
@Rita: YAY! π
That looks like so much fun! I can only imagine how good the sausage and other stuffing in the pig must have tasted (I liken it to stuffing in a turkey on Thanksgiving). Hope the talk goes well (I’m sure it will) π
@Cait’s Plate: PS – Mal’s face while watching the pig slideshow is classic. Haha. He looks SO happy.
@Cait’s Plate: Haha! He was super happy!
I love the watermelon pig, apple swans, and your pig T-shirts! Looks like a fun (and delicious) party.
wow what a process! It looks like such a blast. I feel like pig roasts are more common down south, so I’ve never been a part of one.
Looks like a real fun day with friends. I love how you called the dogs piranhas, so true!
It looks like an amazing time! You deserve it! Just curious how old Ping is?
@Sandi: He’ll be 12 in October. He’s an old man.
SO glad you guys had such a fun time! I love all day parties and you all certainly put a lot of work into making it special!
BIG KUDOS to you for standing your ground and showing a recap of something that was important to you! π
Have to admit – the pig pictures looks really gross to me – but it was worth it to see that cute watermelon–adorable! Looks like everyone had so much fun! xoxo
I was wondering how the pig turned out! Looking forward to TECHmunch, see you there!
What a fun day! Once the heat wave breaks, I am so in the mood for a BBQ!
Is anyone else unable to see C&C pics in Google Reader? This has been happening for a few days.
@Allison:
that happened to me the other day, but it’s fixed now.
@Allison: I’ve had this problem for the past few days as well.
how cool! I have always wanted to try/go to a pig roast π
I think this should be called 2011 Pigapalooza!
What fun! *claps*
The dog swarm is hysterical and the piggy watermelon is adorable! I’m so glad the party was a big success! Enjoy the rest of your day, Tina! π
I love the pic of the “doggy piranhas”…haha. Too cute! π
Glad you guys had fun!
The roasted pig looks wondeful. The boys did a great job! Love the apple “swans.”
People always look at me funny when I tell them my family roasts a whole pig for certain special occasions. Your pig roast looks crisp and delicious. I especially love the pig carved watermelon!
looks fun! What are the blue-ish circles on the pig?
Now there is a housewarming party!!!
Wow that Im sure was a lot of work , but look at that beautiful meal in the end! My son and husband would of been in heaven at this party! Im glad it went well, and I love the pig watermelon basket! So cute!
Good Luck today!
This was super informative for me, thanks! I had no idea that pig roasts are stuffed with other meat, fruit and veggie goodies before they are cooked. So random question: I assume you then eat the stuffing with part of the actual cooked pig? Or is it just stuffed inside to give it that flavor and you don’t actually eat the pig itself?
@Kelly: I was wondering the same thing!!
@Kristen @ notsodomesticated: @Kelly: Pig and stuffing. The pig was delicious– so flavorful!
Mal’s excitement over the pig furthers Corey’s desire to have a bromance with him.
I’m not a fan of pork but this looks like such a great idea and gathering. A+ for presentation!
Who went for the pork belly?
The watermelon pig and apple swans were SO CUTE!!! Looks like a lot of work, but it definitely looked worth it. So glad your party was a hit!
Also, for some reason I have been unable to view your pictures in GoogleReader the past few posts.
Cool event-thanks for sharing.
How did you make those swans out of apples??!?!! Soo cool!
That watermelon pig is toooo cute! What do your little piggy shirts say??
Will you be blogging about the things you’re sharing at TechMunch today?
Glad your party went well and you’re feeling well again enough to enjoy yourself and have a good time! π
@Amber @ Chicken and Chocolate: Mal’s said: “Cook like an iron chef,” and mine said: “Rare breed,” which is from Niman Ranch in Iowa http://carrotsncake.com/tag/niman-ranch
That looks and sounds like such a fun party! I’m super impressed with all the work that was put into that pig roast. I had a feeling it was labor intensive, but not THAT much! If Jay and I ever decide to try one out, at least I know who to enlist for help. π
Good luck (I doubt you’ll need it though). What a feast! Did you cut out the watermelon in shape of a pig’s head? And how did you make it swans out of apples? That’s pure art!
Omg cutest watermelon ever!
What a great party! I have been to one where they cooked it in the ground. This looks a bit easier, and you don’t have a big hole in your back yard. LOL
Yay!! Too much fun! What do y’alls pig shirts say?
@Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio: Mal’s said βCook like an iron chef,βΒ and mine said βRare breed,βΒ which is from Niman Ranch in Iowa http://carrotsncake.com/tag/niman-ranch
@Tina: Too cute! I love the Iron Chef shirt. My boyfriend is from Iowa so I’ll have to ask him about Niman Ranch.
Love the pig watermelon……how creative and cute!
Everything looks soooooo delicious, and I love that you posted everything that went into this. It looks like so much work, but the fun and good eats totally look worth it! So glad you had a great party!
This looks like such fun, a different twist on the BBQ!
That looks incredible, total kudos to you all for roasting a pig! Hog roasts have been really popular in the UK for a while, at festivals and even weddings, but I don’t know of anyone who’s done it themselves – looks delicious.
Looks like you guys had a blast!
Hahaha, Mal cracks me up! In every picture he just looks SO overjoyed to be preparing this pig. Not that I blame him, it looked delicious!!
Love the pack of dogs! I love outdoor parties where everyone brings their puppies. π Also, like others said, that watermelon pig was fantastic.
I’m in love with Elizabeth’s watermelon pig. Looks like a fabulous party, I’m actually wearing my “Cook Like an Iron Chef “shirt right now :).
OMG the pig watermelon is adorable! But, my favorite may be Mal’s shirt that he’s wearing earlier in the day. What the heck does it say? π It looks like y’all had a blast!
my dog would be FREAKING OUT around that pig.
Love the watermelon! π