Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

How is your October going thus far? Hard to believe just how quickly another year is slipping by. It’s been a rocky year. As a Conservative Catholic, I just need to keep my head down and muddle through. The political stage hasn’t been very pretty from a conservative prospective.

In August we took a 10-day whirlwind vacation through six states. Traveling on the road as we did, there were so many things that struck me as to how divided our country has become. In one state, everything was wide open. In a neighboring state, lockdowns were only recently lifted while restrictions continued. Some states were thriving, others felt the weight of oppression. In some places tourist destinations were empty and businesses closed when the sun went down. Others were crowded with activity. It was strange.

Yet in the poorest of areas, small communities that were on shaky ground long before Covid, there remains a steadfast love for this country that was unquestionable. If ever there were people who should be resentful of their broken American Dream, it’s the people truly tied to the land. Hard working people with a hard life and yet they hang their flag with pride. They show their love for the land and for their communities in amazingly beautiful ways. Along highway 159 in southern Colorado, there was a stretch of maybe 20 miles or so in the middle of nowhere with more American Flags then I’ve ever seen before. Every 10 to 15 feet on either side of the highway was a flag. No political statements or billboards declaring anything, just flags. It was moving. No words were needed.

A few days later, we had lunch in a roadside diner along Historic Route 66. The diner was popular with ranchers and Navajo people. Flags were displayed with pride on trucks, on hats and hanging on the walls. These are a people without a voice and yet they stand tall with pride for community and for country.

We have much to learn from those who appear to have little to nothing and yet have a strong sense of pride. They are rich beyond measure in the things that truly matter. Traveling through small towns, getting out among the people was so inspiring. We need to figure out how to get back to those roots of family, community, faith and sense of duty. The world need to revolve around us. Happiness comes not from possessions but from little accomplishments. Raising a calf, picking vegetables we’ve grown, baking a pie from scratch to share with others, the rewards of simplicity are beyond measure.

Wow, not exactly where I thought today’s recipe share would take me. We made Pulled Pork Sandwiches just before our trip. I was looking for dishes that could stretch with little effort before cleaning out the fridge. These sandwiches were awesome with potato salad. And the potato salad packed nicely for a picnic on the road.

Sandwiches are great for a casual supper. Warm sandwiches seem to lend a certain amount of homespun comfort, don’t you think? Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
3 lb boneless Pork Shoulder Roast
1 cup Ketchup
1/2 cup firmly packed Brown Sugar
1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1 (1 oz) envelope Dry Onion Soup Mix
Hot Sauce to taste
8 Hamburger Buns, split

Place pork roast in a slow cooker. In a 2-cup glass measuring cup, whisk ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, onion soup mix, and hot sauce together; pour over pork and turn to coat pork completely.

Cook on Low for 8 to 10 hours (or cook on High for 4 to 6 hours). Shred pork with two forks and serve on hamburger buns.