Pulled Pork Is Perfect forFourth of July

Pork shoulders are the front leg of the pig and are fairly inexpensive cuts of meat. The shoulder includes two cuts: the Boston butt, which is a rectangular roast from the upper part of the front leg, and the picnic shoulder. The Boston butt is the cut of choice for pulled-pork sandwiches.

Select a Boston butt that has a white-fat cap and is marbled with fat throughout the meat. The fat and the collagen (the connective tissue) "baste" the meat as it melts away. The collagen also turns into simple sugars that make this typically tougher cut of meat moist, tender and flavorful as it slowly cooks.

Pulled-pork barbeque sandwiches were used to entice potential voters to attend political rallies. These flavorful sandwiches definitely have my vote. This crockpot recipe for pulled pork is perfect for anyone who can't barbeque the traditional way. Serve the pulled pork with a scoop of coleslaw on the sandwich or on the side, along with some baked beans, corn on the cob and sweet, lemon-flavored iced tea, and you'll have the makings of a Southern-style barbeque no matter where you live!

Barbequed Pulled-Pork Sandwiches

This recipe is a great way to tenderize an inexpensive cut of meat and conserve energy by using the crockpot. The salsa infuses the meat with flavor while it cooks, and the barbeque sauce is the perfect finish. You'll have enough pulled pork to feed a crowd, or you can freeze any leftovers for another fabulous meal!

5 pounds boneless pork butt, cut into 2-inch chunks

2 large onions, sliced

1 jar (16 ounces) Pace Chunky Salsa or Pace Pineapple Mango Chipotle

Salsa

1 1/2 cups water

1 bottle (16 ounces) barbecue sauce

1/4 cup apple-cider vinegar

2 tablespoons prepared mustard

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon salt

24 hamburger buns

1. Place half the onions in the crockpot. Add the meat and then the rest of the onions. Pour the salsa and the water over and the pork and the onions.

2. Turn the crockpot to the HIGH setting for 4 to 5 hours or on the LOWsetting for 7 to 9 hours or until the pork is tender and can be shredded easily with a fork.

3. Remove the pork and onions from the crockpot and discard any of the remaining liquid and accumulated fat. Let the meat cool slightly. Shred the pork, using two forks. Mix together the barbeque sauce, vinegar, mustard, brown sugar and salt until well-combined.

4. Mix the shredded pork and onions with the barbeque sauce. Return the barbequed pork to the crockpot and cook on HIGH for another hour. Serve about 1/2 cup shredded pork in each roll. Top with coleslaw, if desired. Serves 24.

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By Samantha Weaver

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