Ham hock

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Ham hocks are essential ingredients in soul food and other forms of Southern country cooking.

A ham "hock" is the end of a smoked ham where the foot was attached to the hog's leg. It is the portion of the leg that is neither part of the ham proper nor the foot or ankle, but rather the extreme shank end of the leg bone and the associated skin, fat, tendons, and muscle. This piece is generally comprised of too much skin and gristle to be palatable on its own, so it is largely used to be cooked with greens and other vegetables in order to give them additional flavor (generally that of pork fat and smoke), although the meat from particularly meaty hocks may be removed and served.

Ham hocks, or hog jowls (pig cheeks), added to various dishes greatly increase the flavor. This is particularly true for cabbage, green beans and navy beans.