Photo by Heidi Billotto
Charlotte-based food blogger Heidi Billotto has launched a series of blog posts about the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market. In this month’s blog she explores delicious local pork options found at the market. “The state of North Carolina is one of the nation’s leading pork producers so its no wonder so many farmers who sell meat at the Charlotte Regional Market, raise and harvest hogs to sell all sorts of pork,” said Billotto. “When you go to the Charlotte Regional Farmers’ Market (or your own local market) this weekend, stop and talk to pork producers and ask questions as you make your decisions as to where and what to buy.” She points out that fresh and local bacon is always a popular choice at the market and she suggests grabbing a pound or two cause it goes fast.
Heidi offers a quick road map to producers that offer pork at the Charlotte market on her blog, as well as a few delicious recipes to try. Her recipe for sausage sliders make a great breakfast, lunch or snack and is listed below. Check out her blog for recipes such as chicken-fried bacon and Cheerwine-Bourbon Glazed NC Pork Ribs.
Heidi Billotto’s Got To Be NC Local Sausage Sliders
Makes 25 bite-sized sliders
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup finely diced celery
- 1/2 cup finely diced onion
- 1 tablespoon dried sage leaves
- 1 pound local breakfast sausage
- 25 small potato rolls or fresh baked biscuits
Heat olive oil in a small saucepan until aromatic. Add celery onions and sage. Sauté until onions are slightly browned. Remove from pan and place in a bowl. Add uncooked ground Sausage and blend well to mix. Divide the pork into 20-25 small patties, pan fry in a nonstick saucepan or grill in a grill pan until nicely browned on both sides. Transfer to a bun or biscuit and serve hot.
These taste like Thanksgiving on a biscuit!