The first time I went to the little Mexican place to buy carnitas (slow cooked pork chopped up fine), I was surprised, as I waited in line, to see the cook carefully lop off a generous glob of fat and chop it up into every order. When my turn came, I asked to have mine all lean, no fat. What? the man could not believe his ears. I did not want ANY fat? The lady behind me was also surprised. That is the best part, she gasped. You have had carnitas before? You know what they are? In fact, my unusual request had drawn the attention of everyone there. I smiled at the man with the cleaver. Give my fat to the lady behind me.

Thank you! she cried. God will pay you for your generosity. And he will pay you for taking my share of fat, I mumbled under my breath, as I paid the astonished proprietor for my package of lean carnitas. Now when I go to buy carnitas, people shove a bit to position themselves behind me in the line, knowing that they will get my order’s portion of fat! Continue reading →