ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Wednesday, February 5, 1997            TAG: 9702050047
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 8    EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 

GROUND PORK MAKES FOR EXCELLENT SALUTE TO PROGNOSTICATING PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL

In a tongue-in-cheek American tradition, the groundhog comes out of the ground in the Pennsylvania town of Punxsutawney at sunrise every Feb. 2 to predict the outcome of winter. If he sees his shadow, it means winter will continue for six more weeks; if he emerges facing the sun, spring will arrive early.

On Sunday, old Punxsutawney Phil saw no shadow, thus portending an early spring.

In a culinary salute to groundhog day, the Pork Information Bureau has created two recipes that use ground pork as an ingredient.

Ground pork is comparable to other ground meats in calories and fat and brings a new flavor to the table, says Robin Kline, a registered dietitian and director of the Pork Information Bureau for the National Pork Producers Council.

It's also versatile and relatively inexpensive.

Whether spring arrives early or not, the following ground pork recipes will let you safely predict meal success.

Recipe for:

SIX MORE WEEKS SANDWICH

LENGTH: Short :   34 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  Punxsutawney Pasta Fazool and Six More Weeks Sandwiches 
          are part of savory and quick meals. color.