Memorial Day Pork Sliders

Memorial Day was originally named Decoration Day because flowers were laid at the graves of soldiers. Did you know that the first red poppy was made and worn by Moina Michael as a symbol of the blood that was shed during the war? Her intention was to raise money for the families of the fallen. This tradition lives on still today as the veterans themselves assemble these poppies and proudly hand them out.

Before you head out for the annual Memorial Day parade, grab your crock pot and make some fabulous pulled pork for your BBQ party. These sliders are simply delicious and very easy to make.

You will need a seven to eight pound pork shoulder picnic cut, a 19 ounce bottle of barbeque sauce (I used Jack Daniels original), one cup of Jack Daniels whiskey, an eight ounce can of crushed pineapple, one large Vidalia onion roughly cut, salt, pepper, cumin, ground cloves, coriander, pork rub, ¼ cup potato or corn starch and slider rolls. 

Turn your crock on low and layer the onion on the bottom. Put the meat on top fat side up. Squeeze the entire bottle of barbeque sauce to cover the pork. Add the crushed pineapple and the whiskey. Cover and cook for seven hours. Baste the meat frequently.

Add one tablespoon of each cumin, ground cloves, coriander, pork rub, pepper, and a pinch of salt. Continue to baste and cook for another hour.

Turn the pot off, remove the pork from the sauce and place it in a shallow serving pan. Scrape the fat off the meat and discard it. Using two large serving forks begin shredding the pork and remove all the bones.

Carefully transfer the pot to the stove and turn the flame to medium. The sauce will boil quickly.

In a separate mixing bowl combine the starch with 2 ½ cups of sauce. Whisk quickly. Pour the mixture into the crock whisking continuously until it thickens into gravy.

Ladle the gravy over the shredded pork and toss. Serve on slider rolls.

Enjoy your day, your guests and your fabulous food and let’s not forget to take a moment to remember our brave men and women as we celebrate Memorial Day.