Why is it that traditionally whole pigs are cooked with a rost apple in their mouth?

Answer 1

Traditionally apple is a complimentary accompaniment to pork, but when suckling pigs were first cooked they were spit roasted & once placed on the table the head would collapse and it would not look very appealing, so some bright spark came up with the idea to place an apple in the mouth to prevent the head collapsing & from there on this particular tradition was carried on.

Answer 2

Usually it is a suckling pig: a very small one. I believe the apple may represent a sort of thermostat; an easy way to tell when the meat is done. But since apples take far less time to cook than a suckling pig, I suppose the trick is to know when to insert the apple.

Answer 3

1. If he figures out how to eat the apple right, maybe he'll get taken out of the oven; hence keeping him quiet until he is done cooking

2. He got caught stealing an apple--somehow

3. Sedative on the apple?

Answer 4

I think the apple is for decoration after the pig is roasted. I think the apple is also there to make you feel hungry. Some one else asked a similar question...
http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061019205803AAvoEGo

Answer 5

Huh. Good question.
I'd think maybe it was symbolic of the pig having been well fed and healthy before becoming dinner...

Answer 6

it is mainly for decoration. red apples are appealing. it makes the roasted pig more yummy =)

Answer 7

Well, you would usually eat roast pork with apple sauce. I assume it's for flavouring as well as decoration...

Answer 8

Maybe its to stop the screaming.