Like Peter below, I want ot make a genuine Melton Mowbray pork pie (or 6) and just cannot find any lard - surely to goodness somebody must know where you can buy it. I live in Pietermaritzburg and have exhausted all known possibilities. Maybe somebody can assit - who know's, pigs may fly!

Hi Sweet Violet.
Puff pastry can indeed be made from Holsum and works just as well as Margarine or lard, I use it on regular basis, both by hand and with a laminator.

Hi Juliet.
I would just like to correct you on your knowledge of Holsum.
Holsum is made from a Palm Sterin, which is from the palm fruit, and not as you mentioned a Margarine made from Sunflower.

Thank you for favoring Holsum, much appreciated.

Try your local butchery or Woolies otherwise make you own lard by rendering down fat purchased from your local butchery. Low and slow is the motto for rendering down fat as hight heat will just burn it. Once rendered pour into a jar and just use the bottom. Think fat left from Sunday roast!

can you use hulsom to make likepuff pastry with

Where can I find lard shortening for my pies in south Africa

Hi there!!! could you please help me, my recipe requires Crisco and here in South-Africa we don't have that, i would prefer to use Margarine, as we both are diabetics. I would appreciate your anwser on that kind regards Liz.

Peter (2012/05/05) says he can source lard in Pretoria. Does anyone know of a source on the Natal South Coast, or Durban ???

I found Crisco vegetable shortening in Hobart Superspar in Bryanston

Hi, I can source lard in Pretoria.
e-mail me at pcsmall@vodamail.co.za

has anyone been able to find a lard or lard substitute?

Hello all.... Like Sweet Violet below I live in South Africa an can't seem to find Lard.... Holsum isn't the answer. I am trying to make a genuine Melton Mowbray style Pork pie..... So Lard is a necessity.... Any answers folks....

Jea I buy holsum all the time....Picknpay and spar ...you can buy it everywere

I live in RSA and you can buy holsum in any PicknPay or Spar....

I emphatically disagree with Julia. Certain things, such as pie crusts and tortillas, simply do not work with butter or butter substitutes like margarine...not even white margarine like Holsum. I have tried it and it doesn't work...I ended up with roti instead of tortillas.

For some bizarre reason I am unable to find lard in supermarkets in South Africa, nor any effective lard substitutes like Crisco, a vegetable shortening. I am not interested in making shortcrust pastry as I find it hard, crumbly, and unappetizing and for the light flaky pastry my grandmother used to make, lard is essential.

Any idea where in South Africa I can buy it? (I'll buy up to 10 kg since it can be kept indefinitely in the freezer.)