Ingredients

• 35 oz. fat trimmings from pork
• 1 apple (optional)
• 1 onion (optional)
• Salt (optional)

Directions

1. Cut fat trimmings into small pieces (1/4 inch square). They may still have a little meat on them. Place them in a large skillet over low to medium heat. You may use a lid at any time to help them heat up. Do not use a non-stick pan.
2. Heat and stir until the trimming start to melt.
3. Continue to heat and stir for an hour or more, until the pieces turn into brown cracklings (Grieben).
4. If you are adding the apple and onion, peel both, chop fine and add at this time. Keep cooking the fat until the apple starts to turn golden brown, 15 minutes or more.
5. You may add salt, if you wish, but it is usual to salt the dish or bread just before consumption.
6. Pour into a crock, do not use glass as the hot fat could burst it. If you would like smooth Schmalz, pour it through a sieve or even cheesecloth, to remove all browned bits. Cool completely.
7. Keep the lard in a cool spot. It will keep for many weeks.
8. If you don’t combine the cracklings with the schmalz, you might want to save them to use in soups or bean pots. Freeze them in a plastic zipper bag about, patting down until the contents are about 1 inch thick.
9. Then just break off what you need and return the rest to the freezer.