Did miners eat sowbelly and beans?

Sowbelly and beans were common fare for miners during the 19th century.

The combination of pork and beans provided sustenance and energy, and the beans supplied essential nutrients such as protein, fiber, and iron. Sowbelly, the fatty underside of a pig, was a cheap source of calories and flavor.

The dish was typically prepared in large pots or kettles over a campfire, and the miners would eat it with bread or cornbread. Sowbelly and beans remain a popular dish in many parts of the United States, especially in the South, and is often associated with traditional Southern cuisine.