Meat Harvest Recipes: Samhain Meat Pie

The Meat Harvest is the final harvest and is also known as Samhain. This is the time when meat is procured for the long winter months. This harvest served to make sure there was meat in the long winter months ahead and to cut back the herds. keeping breeding stock so there would be fewer mouths to feed during the winter months. The food during this time included meat as well as root vegetables, grain, and the final fruits, and nuts that are available. Samhain Meat Pie consists of pork and chicken as well as root vegetables and herbs. Unfortunately, I have no pictures of the finished product, as the last time I made this delicious dish, it was mostly eaten before I thought to take pictures.

Samhain Meat Pie

Ingredients
1 bay leaf
10 bacon slices
1 pound wild mushrooms, sliced thickly (or domestic mushrooms)
2 leeks chopped into 1-inch pieces (or onions)
3 carrots chopped into 1-inch pieces
1 chicken, cut into serving portions
3 TBS chopped parsley
3 sliced potatoes (peeled or not, your option)
1 TBS red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic (optional)

Directions
Place the bay leaf into the bottom of a dutch oven or cauldron.
(You will need a lid.) Place half the bacon over the leaf and cover
half of the mushrooms, leeks, and carrots. Place the meat pieces
atop the vegetables and then cover them with the rest of the mushrooms, leeks, and carrots. Season to taste, adding half of the chopped parsley, and one of the crushed garlic cloves. (Extra water or broth can be added if necessary,)
Place the potatoes on top of everything else. Add a bit more salt and pepper, the rest of the garlic, and parsley. Place the rest of the bacon over this and pour the red wine vinegar over them. Place a tight lid on the pot and cook in the oven at 325 degrees (F) for two hours (2hr)
Be sure to discard the bay leaf when done.