The ham hock is the lower segment of the pig, corresponding to the ankle or calf region. A hock is not fatty but can be made tender from all the collagen that breaks down during cooking. Best of all, the whole thing is covered in skin, and as I always say, the more skin, the better. More

Last week I learned that if you put into your search field the term "black eyed peas," the only results you'll find pertain to a very popular hip-hop band that goes by that name. Best to add "recipe," to your search , or better yet, "black eyed peas + ham hock," if what you want is that classic Southern dish of slowly simmered beans and smoked meat instead of the song, "My Humps." More