I’m a sucker for anything with Victorian roots during the holidays. Which is probably why I try to read A Christmas Carol every year — or at least watch a version, even if it is just the Muppet one. Everyone knows about Christmas Crackers and Wassail but have you ever heard of the Peppermint Pig?
According to legend, this tradition began in Saratoga Springs back in the early 1880s. A pig, revered as a symbol of good health, happiness, and prosperity was made from hard peppermint candy. After a holiday supper it was broken in a cloth bag and the pieces were shared by all in the hopes of good fortune for the coming year.
Doesn’t this sound like an adorable addition to your family’s holiday? I think this pink pig will definitely have to make an appearance at my home this year. We can use all the good luck we can get!
Here in Houston, Tex Mex is like a religion and chile con queso is its most revered deity. I’ve been on the hunt for a functional and decorative dish worthy of its hallowed blend of cheeses, cream, and chili peppers, and in the Pomaireware salsa/condiment serving dish, I think I’ve found Nirvana. This fair trade, handcrafted, three-legged pig dish is great for hot dips, cold dips, salsa, guacamole, olives, nuts or anything else that suits your small food fancy. Perfect for a Thanksgiving table or for everyday entertaining, the unique and eco-friendly earthenware pig is lead-free and safe for stovetop, microwave and oven use (up to 450F). It’s hard for a Texan to imagine anything could upstage an artfully-crafted southwestern sauce, but this Pomaire piggy just might be the dish that does it. And to that I say, praise the lord and pass the queso!