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Pork

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Pork, often called boar in Faerûn, was the general term for the meat of pigs and boars eaten across the Realms.[1] It was a popular focal point of human and dwarf cuisines[2] from Faerûn[1] and Kara-Tur,[3][4] and was also found in halfling[2] and Zakharan cooking.[5]

Description[]

Grilled Pork Belly

A slab of grilled crackling pork belly.

The meat of pigs and boars had a number of different names depending on the type of cut and whether the meat had been cured.[6][7] Popular discrete cuts of pork included roasts, chops, loins,[8] and ribs.[9] Cured versions, usually achieved with salting or smoking, were durable foods that would not spoil over the winter or during long trips. These included salt pork, bacon, and ham.[6][7][10][11]

Whole Pigs[]

Lizardfolkkitchen

To the left, a whole pig is spit roasted by a lizardfolk chef.

Whole animals were generally eaten roasted, and were referred to as "roast pigs" or "roast boars". They were popular at inns and taverns[12][9][13][14][15] and were often the focal point of festivals and feasts in places like Damara,[16] the Moonshae Isles,[17] and Shou Lung.[18]

Roasts[]

In Faerûn, pork roasts were often scored to allow for cloves or garlic to be embedded in the meat during cooking,[19] while in west Zakhara they might be flavored with cardamom.[5] In places like the Vast, roasts were often paired with carrots, lentils, peas, parsnips, onions, or squash.[8] In the North and the Eastern Heartlands, roasts were served with things like green vegetables, potatoes, parsnips, turnips, and radishes.[20][21][22][23]

Salt Pork[]

Salt pork was a cured preparation[6] common in the Faerûnean Heartlands,[24][25] the Korinn Archipelago,[26] the Lands of Intrigue,[27][28] and the North.[29] It was common as a staple during long winters[30] and as rations for adventurers,[31] sailors,[27] and soldiers.[32] Salt pork's durability made it popular in places where pigs could normally not be raised, such as in the Underdark.[33] Salt pork generally sold for about 3 gold pieces per 1 pound (450 grams).[6]

Bacon[]

Main article: Bacon

Bacon was a cured preparation[6] generally found in northern and western Faerûn,[1][34] and it was particularly common as part of a dawnfry or morningfeast.[35][36][37] Bacon generally sold for about 4 gold pieces per 1 pound (450 grams).[6]

Ham[]

Main article: Ham

Ham was a cured preparation[6] usually made using the meat from the leg or hock.[38] Ham generally sold for about 5 gold pieces per 1 pound (450 grams).[6]

Stews[]

Pork was featured in hearty stews across Faerûn,[39] paired with other meats,[40] and with vegetables like onions, leeks, and greens[41][42] as well as with spices.[39] Boar meat was used in wildsage stew, eaten by farmers in the Vast.[40]

Mince[]

The meat was sometimes eaten minced, often as a filling for dumplings,[43][44] pies,[45][46] pastries,[9][47][48][49] and other dishes.[39] Minced pork was one of the three meats most commonly found in a baeranth pie,[45] in "jack wyvern tail" (meant to mimic the flavor of wyvern meat),[50] and in tavern "steak".[51] It was also a key ingredient in Delzoun meatballs, known as "tide me overs".[52]

Sausage[]

Main article: Sausage

Everything from fresh pork to pork fat to pigs' brains were used to make sausage.[7][53][54] Often, these might be mixed with various other meats[7][53] or other additions like nuts.[55] Pig bladders were sometimes used as sausage casings.[53] Pork sausage generally sold for about 1 gold piece per 1 pound (450 grams).[6]

Other[]

Pork fat was used for cooking[56][57] and baking.[58][59] Rancid pork fat was boiled into a stew and fed to prisoners in Raven's Bluff.[60][61] The fatty skin of the pig (pork rind) could be fried to make "cracklings".[50]

In parts of northwest Faerûn, pig organs were used to make gravy[62] and pig joints were eaten doused in gravy.[1]

Pig's heads were a delicacy in Amn.[63]

Availability[]

Pork was eaten across Toril, from dumplings eaten by the poor folk of Amn[43] to suckling pigs at the tables of the nobility in the Cold Lands[16] to roasts in the Pearl Cities of Zahkara[5] to steamed buns known as "bow" in Kara-Tur[64] to boar dishes in Laerakond.[65] It was bought and sold, both fresh and cured, in city markets like those in Ravens Bluff[66] and Arabel.[67]

Pork was a common food at inns in Faerûn,[68] and was often served spicy in the south (such as in Tethyr[39]) and more mildly seasoned in the north (such as in Waterdeep).[39][69]

Cured preparations of pork could be bought in bulk,[6] and owing to their longevity, they were popular even in places where fresh pork was hard to acquire, such as in Skullport[33] and Calimshan.[70] Salt pork was one of the most popular exports out of Featherdale, where it was famously cured with minerals from the Deeping Stream.[25]

Notable Locations[]

Inns, taverns, and restaurants notable for serving pork included:

  • The Bargewright Inn in the Dessarin Valley served hearty but plain pork roasts with generous sides of potatoes, parsnips, turnips, and radishes.[21]
  • The Blushing Mermaid in Baldur's Gate was known to serve whole roast pigs as well as a pork platter with thyme and mushrooms.[12]
  • The Blushing Mermaid was also known to serve whole roast pigs, despite otherwise specializing in seafood.[9]
  • The Boar's Head Inn in Raven's Bluff was known as a place to find all kinds of pork products, from ham and leek soup to sizzling bacon.[42]
  • The Fall of Stars in Harrowdale Town served whole roast boar and a stew known as Boar and Chestnut Deep Pot.[13]
  • Hriiat Fine Pastries in Waterdeep was known for savory "bite-pies", including one filled with pork.[46]
  • The Inn of the Dripping Dagger featured several pork products, including chops and ribs for 1 sp, bacon and rolls for 6 cp, pork pies for 1 cp, and salt pork with mild or spicy beans for 4 cp.[9]
  • The Jovial Juggler in Beregost served whole roast boar.[14]
  • The Lonesome Tankard in Eveningstar served roast pork with boiled turnips and potatoes.[23]
  • The Old Skull Inn in Shadowdale served roast pork with boiled potatoes.[22]
  • The Owlroost Head in Purskul served dumplings filled with minced pork.[44]
  • The Painted Boat restaurant in Ravens Bluff offered barbecued pork as a specialty [71]
  • The Pampered Traveler inn in Waterdeep made various roasts (including pork) available buffet-style in the mornings for its guests [72]
  • Phoaraudo's in Raven's Bluff served pigs' ears as a delicacy.[73]
  • The Raging Lion inn in Waterdeep made two pork stews nightly, one highly spiced and one meant to allow the flavor of the meat to shine through.[69]
  • The Sailors' Own tavern on Sail Street in Waterdeep served roast pork as well as pork stewed with onions and greens.[41]
  • The Stag Triumphant in Mosstone served whole roast boar.[15]
  • Starnar's Cozy Cove Rest in Tulmene served a spicy pork stew that was thick, sticky, and brown.[39]
  • The Stone Stallion in Amphail served pork roasts every third night, drenched in fatty gravy and accompanied either by green vegetables in summer or potatoes and parsnips in winter.[20]
  • Tulmene's Tower in Tulmene used minced pork as a stuffing for their signature preparation of giant squid.[39]
  • Two Brothers' Butchery in Raven's Bluff sold a wide array of pork products, including specialty cuts and pig carcasses.[11]
  • Wyrmkindler Sausage Works in Cormyr used venison, pork, and pork fat in their stag sausage.[74]

Pork could also be found for sale at the Nowhere Inn on the Infinite Staircase.[75]

History[]

Pork was a staple food in north Faerûn since the days of ancient Netheril.[76]

High demand among the nobles of Chessenta made pork one of their most important imports as of the mid-to-late 14th century DR owing to the fact that few pigs were raised in the realm itself.[77][78]

In the late 15th century DR, the merchant Alsimur Droon manufactured a shortage of salt pork along the Sword Coast, allowing him to capitalize on the desperate demand.[70]

Trivia[]

The flavor and texture of pork was said to be similar to the meat of wyverns,[50] rothé,[79] and subterranean lizards.[80] Pork when flavored with chives was also said to simulate the taste of stirge meat.[81]

Pork was one of the favorite foods of the average beholder.[82] Perytons were not over fond of it.[83]

Appendix[]

Appearances[]

Adventures
Cities of Bone: "Suitable Donations" • For Duty and Deity • Marco Volo: Journey • House of Cards • The Fiends of Tethyr • Scourge of the Sword Coast • Search for the Diamond Staff • Web of the Spider Queen
Referenced only
Treasure Hunt • Ochimo The Spirit Warrior Haunted Halls of Eveningstar • Shadowdale • Dead in Thay
Novels
Stormlight • Spellfire
Video Games
Dungeons & Dragons Online
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
Knight Moves;Chaos in the City of Splendors

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Ed Greenwood (November 2000). “The New Adventures of Volo: Dragonwing Stew”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #277 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 93.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kyle Newman, Jon Peterson, Michael Witwer (October 2020). Heroes' Feast: The Official D&D Cookbook. (Ten Speed Press), pp. 3, 85, 115. ISBN 978-1-9848-5890-0.
  3. ↑ Gary Gygax, David Cook, and François Marcela-Froideval (1985). Oriental Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 139. ISBN 0-8803-8099-3.
  4. ↑ Rick Swan (July 1990). Monstrous Compendium Kara-Tur Appendix. (TSR, Inc.), p. 36. ISBN 0-88038-851-X.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Steve Kurtz (1994). Al-Qadim: Cities of Bone: Adventure Book. (TSR, Inc), p. 3. ISBN 1-56076-847.
  6. ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), p. 118. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Terence Kemper (January 1994). “The Living City: The Swineherd's House”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #91 (TSR, Inc.), p. 15.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Terence Kemper (January 1994). “The Living City: The Swineherd's House”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #91 (TSR, Inc.), p. 14.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Ed Greenwood (January 1993). Volo's Guide to Waterdeep. (TSR, Inc.), p. 113. ISBN 1-56076-335-3.
  10. ↑ Ed Greenwood (January 1996). Volo's Guide to the Dalelands. (TSR, Inc), p. 77. ISBN 0-7869-0406-2.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Eric Kemper and Terence Kemper (May 1991). “The Living City: The Two Brothers' Butchery”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #59 (TSR, Inc.), p. 7.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Ed Greenwood (1994). Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast. (TSR, Inc), p. 21. ISBN 1-5607-6940-1.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Ed Greenwood (January 1996). Volo's Guide to the Dalelands. (TSR, Inc), p. 145. ISBN 0-7869-0406-2.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Ed Greenwood (1994). Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast. (TSR, Inc), p. 30. ISBN 1-5607-6940-1.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Ed Greenwood (July 2000). Volo's Guide to Baldur's Gate II. Edited by Duane Maxwell, David Noonan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 106. ISBN 0-7869-1626-5.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Douglas Niles and Michael Dobson (1985). Bloodstone Pass. (TSR, Inc), p. 22. ISBN 978-0394548562.
  17. ↑ Douglas Niles (November 1987). Moonshae. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 52. ISBN 0-88038-494-8.
  18. ↑ Jeff Grubb (1987). Ochimo: The Spirit Warrior. (TSR, Inc), p. 20. ISBN 0-88038-393-3.
  19. ↑ Ed Greenwood (October 2012). Ed Greenwood Presents Elminster's Forgotten Realms. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 82. ISBN 0786960345.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Ed Greenwood (1993). Volo's Guide to the North. (TSR, Inc), p. 20. ISBN 1-5607-6678-6.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Ed Greenwood (1993). Volo's Guide to the North. (TSR, Inc), p. 34. ISBN 1-5607-6678-6.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Logan Bonner (May 2012). Web of the Spider Queen. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 8.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Troy Denning (July 2003). Waterdeep. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 2. ISBN 0-7869-3111-6.
  24. ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 46. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 James Butler, Elizabeth T. Danforth, Jean Rabe (September 1994). “The Settled Lands”. In Karen S. Boomgarden ed. Elminster's Ecologies (TSR, Inc), p. 3. ISBN 1-5607-6917-3.
  26. ↑ Douglas Niles (November 1987). Moonshae. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 53. ISBN 0-88038-494-8.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Douglas Niles (1990). Ironhelm. (TSR, Inc), chap. 4. ISBN 0-8803-8903-6.
  28. ↑ David Howery (July/August 1995). “The Fiends of Tethyr”. In Dave Gross ed. Dungeon #54 (TSR, Inc.) (54)., p. 21.
  29. ↑ Ed Greenwood (1993). Volo's Guide to the North. (TSR, Inc), p. 89. ISBN 1-5607-6678-6.
  30. ↑ slade, et al. (April 1996). “Cities & Civilization”. In James Butler ed. The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier (TSR, Inc.), p. 38. ISBN 0-7869-0391-0.
  31. ↑ Richard Baker (June 2013). Search for the Diamond Staff. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 16.
  32. ↑ Katherine Kerr (February 1985). “An Army Travels on Its Stomach”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #94 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 10–16.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Joseph C. Wolf (1999). Skullport. (TSR, Inc), pp. 46, 49, 70. ISBN 0-7869-1348-7.
  34. ↑ Ed Greenwood (January 1996). Volo's Guide to the Dalelands. (TSR, Inc), p. 169. ISBN 0-7869-0406-2.
  35. ↑ Ed Greenwood (1994). Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast. (TSR, Inc), p. 181. ISBN 1-5607-6940-1.
  36. ↑ Ed Greenwood (1993). Volo's Guide to the North. (TSR, Inc), p. 104. ISBN 1-5607-6678-6.
  37. ↑ Ed Greenwood (October 1996). Stormlight. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 2. ISBN 0-7869-0520-4.
  38. ↑ Wolfgang Baur, Steve Winter (August 2014). Hoard of the Dragon Queen. Edited by Miranda Horner. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 80. ISBN 978-0786965649.
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 39.3 39.4 39.5 39.6 Ed Greenwood (July 2000). Volo's Guide to Baldur's Gate II. Edited by Duane Maxwell, David Noonan. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 84–85. ISBN 0-7869-1626-5.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 Ed Greenwood (January 1991). “The Everwinking Eye: At Home in Maskyr's Eye”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #57 (TSR, Inc.), p. 21.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 Ed Greenwood (January 1993). Volo's Guide to Waterdeep. (TSR, Inc.), p. 27. ISBN 1-56076-335-3.
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 Ed Greenwood (October 1998). The City of Ravens Bluff. Edited by John D. Rateliff. (TSR, Inc.), p. 142. ISBN 0-7869-1195-6.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 Ed Greenwood (July 2000). Volo's Guide to Baldur's Gate II. Edited by Duane Maxwell, David Noonan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 48. ISBN 0-7869-1626-5.
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 Ed Greenwood (July 2000). Volo's Guide to Baldur's Gate II. Edited by Duane Maxwell, David Noonan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 54. ISBN 0-7869-1626-5.
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 Ed Greenwood (October 2012). Ed Greenwood Presents Elminster's Forgotten Realms. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 84. ISBN 0786960345.
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 Ed Greenwood (January 1993). Volo's Guide to Waterdeep. (TSR, Inc.), p. 94. ISBN 1-56076-335-3.
  47. ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 114. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
  48. ↑ Chet Williamson (July 1998). Murder in Cormyr. (TSR, Inc.), chap. 14, pp. 83, 86. ISBN 0-7869-0486-0.
  49. ↑ Ed Greenwood (January 1996). Volo's Guide to the Dalelands. (TSR, Inc), p. 111. ISBN 0-7869-0406-2.
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 50.2 Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 102. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
  51. ↑ Kyle Newman, Jon Peterson, Michael Witwer (October 2020). Heroes' Feast: The Official D&D Cookbook. (Ten Speed Press), p. 40. ISBN 978-1-9848-5890-0.
  52. ↑ Kyle Newman, Jon Peterson, Michael Witwer (October 2020). Heroes' Feast: The Official D&D Cookbook. (Ten Speed Press), p. 90. ISBN 978-1-9848-5890-0.
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 53.2 Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 89. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
  54. ↑ Ed Greenwood (January 1996). Volo's Guide to the Dalelands. (TSR, Inc), p. 72. ISBN 0-7869-0406-2.
  55. ↑ Ed Greenwood (1994). Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast. (TSR, Inc), p. 111. ISBN 1-5607-6940-1.
  56. ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 2011). Spellfire. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 11. ISBN 978-0-7869-6173-3.
  57. ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 90. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
  58. ↑ Ed Greenwood (January 1996). Volo's Guide to the Dalelands. (TSR, Inc), p. 68. ISBN 0-7869-0406-2.
  59. ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 49. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
  60. ↑ Ed Greenwood (October 1998). The City of Ravens Bluff. Edited by John D. Rateliff. (TSR, Inc.), p. 71. ISBN 0-7869-1195-6.
  61. ↑ Ed Greenwood (May 1994). “Elminster's Everwinking Eye: Clandestine Company”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #95 (TSR, Inc.), p. 9.
  62. ↑ Ed Greenwood (1994). Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast. (TSR, Inc), p. 84. ISBN 1-5607-6940-1.
  63. ↑ Larian Studios (October 2020). Designed by Swen Vincke, et al. Baldur's Gate III. Larian Studios.
  64. ↑ Mike Pondsmith, Jay Batista, Rick Swan, John Nephew, Deborah Christian (1988). Kara-Tur: The Eastern Realms (Volume I). (TSR, Inc), p. 38. ISBN 0-88038-608-8.
  65. ↑ Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Edited by Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 204. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
  66. ↑ Joseph Wichmann (November 1988). “The Living City: Open Air Farmers Market”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #44 (TSR, Inc.), p. 23.
  67. ↑ Eric Haddock (1994). Cormyr. (TSR, Inc), p. 19. ISBN 1-56076-818-5.
  68. ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 101. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
  69. ↑ 69.0 69.1 Ed Greenwood (January 1993). Volo's Guide to Waterdeep. (TSR, Inc.), p. 99. ISBN 1-56076-335-3.
  70. ↑ 70.0 70.1 Ed Greenwood (November 2013). “Eye on the Realms: Alsimur Droon”. In Steve Winter ed. Dragon #429 (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 40–42.
  71. ↑ Terence Kemper and Eric Kemper (January 1993). “The Living City: The Painted Boat Restaurant”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #79 (TSR, Inc.), p. 15.
  72. ↑ Ed Greenwood (January 1993). Volo's Guide to Waterdeep. (TSR, Inc.), p. 34. ISBN 1-56076-335-3.
  73. ↑ Ed Greenwood (October 1998). The City of Ravens Bluff. Edited by John D. Rateliff. (TSR, Inc.), p. 120. ISBN 0-7869-1195-6.
  74. ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 88–89. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
  75. ↑ Dale Donovan (May 1998). For Duty & Deity. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 21. ISBN 0-7869-1234-0.
  76. ↑ Clayton Emery (November 1996). Dangerous Games. (TSR, Inc.), chap. 9. ISBN 0-7869-0524-7.
  77. ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 182. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
  78. ↑ Scott Bennie (February 1990). Old Empires. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 56. ISBN 978-0880388214.
  79. ↑ Kyle Newman, Jon Peterson, Michael Witwer (October 2020). Heroes' Feast: The Official D&D Cookbook. (Ten Speed Press), p. 34. ISBN 978-1-9848-5890-0.
  80. ↑ Ed Greenwood (1992). Menzoberranzan (The City). Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc), p. 91. ISBN 1-5607-6460-0.
  81. ↑ Ed Greenwood (October 2012). Ed Greenwood Presents Elminster's Forgotten Realms. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 89. ISBN 0786960345.
  82. ↑ Richard Baker, James Jacobs, and Steve Winter (April 2005). Lords of Madness: The Book of Aberrations. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 41. ISBN 0-7869-3657-6.
  83. ↑ Scott Fitzgerald Gray (April 29, 2014). Dead in Thay. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 48.
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