Slaughtering pigs is still an important part of life in many parts of rural Hungary, and many people still prefer homemade products over those mass produced in large factories, vg.hu reports. In bad news for farm animals, recent modifications to the rules and regulations overseeing small-time farms will allow basic products, like milk, eggs, raw meat and processed products such as sausages to be sold in the county of origin, in Budapest and within 40 kilometers of the place of origin, meaning there should be an uptick in supply pretty soon. Additionally, processing the animal products for others will also be allowed. The new regulations aim to preserve the practices of home ox, sheep, goat and pig slaughter. Farm animals are not expected to welcome this news as much as their owners, however.
I once had a farm in Hungary. Lots of happy animals there, I pretty quickly figured out how to raise them, but never managed the art of pig slaughter and making those wonderful smoked sausages, hams and other yummy stuff. Fortunately my “next door” neighbor (half a mile away) was very good at it. He was permanently drunk, his animals were dying from the lack of care, but he made the best smoked sausages in the Solar System.
So whenever the supplies started to run low, I invited him over to convert one of my pigs into pork. I’ve tried to buy “home made” sausages everywhere since, but none of them came close to those I had on my farm. Hope the new de-regulations will bring out the hidden talent, most people never had a chance to experience how good real home made food can taste.
We get chicken and eggs from our neighbours as well as vegetables and fruit – yummy!
Mangalica or regular pork is best bought at the local hentes …
Last time my wife wanted a bélszin, she had to take the whole thing, 2.2 kg, almost five pounds …
Well, we had visitors, so it didn’t last long – it was really good!
I get a sense of economic pragmatism, a “realpolitik” from the new administration when I read the above and consider it along with the home distilling initiative. (One of Orbán’s “29 points) Letting people slaughter their own livestock and distill liquor are ways that ordinary folks could profit; ways that are within Hungarian tradition and experience. You have to try and stimulate the economy, both from the top and from the ground level as well.
My fondest hope is that one of those farmers ends up with a big meat packing operation! Or that one of the home distillers grows to become another internationally recognized brand like Jaegermeister or Bacardi!
@ Mr. Farkas Well put! Totally agree, especially if most of this can be regarded as organic (the meat) and would not only help Hungarian farmers/customers but could be exported to other countries.