Pig anatomy question for a newbie egger

Unknown · May 2002

This may be a very elementary question for most here, but I was wondering what the difference was between a pork shoulder picnic
roast and a Boston Butt?? My local SuperSaver has picnic roasts on
sale for .88 cents/lb. Can I smoke one of these and then "pull" the
meat for sandwiches, as I've heard some do with a Boston Butt?
Thanks, I'm a shy "lurker" mostly, but do appreciate the wisdom
imparted on this board regularly by so many of you experienced
eggers. Wally

Gloria · May 2002

WallyPost,
Honey, these folks on this Forum will give you all the help you could possibly wish for. I, too thought a butt could never be a shoulder, although I knew that one could have one's butt on one's shoulder, but these great people straightened me out. Never be shy about asking.......it is all about learning and sharing!

Nature Boy · May 2002

WallyPost,
The picnic cut makes great pulled pork. The yield of pulled pork is smaller per/pound than with a picnic than with a boston butt, and the meat has a slightly stonger flavor...but only very slightly. Basically the pulled product is about the same. I have been removing the skin with a sharp knife, and leaving a thin layer of fat. Though it can be cooked with the skin, removing it leaves you more useable bark and seasonings.[p]Best way to see if it works right for you is to shell out a few bucks and slap one on! What's to lose?[p]Beers!
NB

Sundown · May 2002

WallyPost,[p]Go do it to the shoulder son. We recently did two 10 lb picnic shoulders and the family all agreed that they liked the flavor better than the flavor of butt. If I'm not mistaken the shoulder and the butt start out life attached to one another and get seperated for our eating pleasure. The yiels will be less than what you expect there's one big honkin' bone that imparts part of the flavor I'm pretty sure. Cooked both of ours with the skin on I'll try the next one with the skin off. Good luck

Unknown · May 2002

WallyPost, I agree with the others that the picnic portion of the shoulder is more flavorful, but has less yield of meat than the butt portion of the shoulder.[p]As to your question of the difference between the two, both cuts come from the front leg of the hog. The whole shoulder will have the butt and picnic intact. The butt is the upper section of the leg and contains the shoulder blade. The picnic is the lower section of the leg and usually ends mid way down the shank or lower section of the front leg. [p]The link below lists a diagram that might explain this a little better. I hope this helps.[p]Beers to you,[p]Juggy D Beerman

[ul][li]Piggy parts[/ul]

Wise One · May 2002

WallyPost, here is a picture that I like (Juggy's is OK but I just like mine better)

[ul][li]Pork Cuts[/ul]

Unknown · May 2002

I like your illustration better too, Bill. :-)[p]Beers,[p]Juggy

Pig anatomy question for a newbie egger

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