Do smoked ham hocks need to be refrigerated?
Chef's answer
Once it's opened, or if you purchase it unsealed, you should use it or freeze it within 3 to 5 days. An uncooked hock is good for up to a week in the refrigerator or until its "use-by" date, whichever comes first..
Frequently asked Questions 🎓
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Because of its high salt- and fat-content, salt pork is not an ideal substitute for ham hock. A scant cup of broth made from a piece of fried salt pork might convey the same porky richness as a cup or two of ham-hock broth, but generally, differences in texture and bulk substantially affect recipe results..
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Ham hocks tend to be bonier and have less meat on them because they come from the area of the leg that is closest to the foot of the pig. Ham shanks, on the other hand, are meatier because they come from the area just below the shoulder or the hip.
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Dice it up, crisp it in the oven or under the broiler. Eat separately or top the soup. You can also save the skin, pop it in with the next batch. Tons of collagen in the skin, helps with a nice rich mouthfeel for the soup..
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Ham hock makes an absolutely delicious, rich, and sustaining soup. It's usually made with dried beans. ... The hock is then removed from the pot, and when cool enough to handle, the skin is removed. Discard the fat between the skin and the meat, and scrape the excess fat from under the skin.
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Smoked ham hocks are a good source of protein, providing 17 g per serving. Protein serves a secondary source of fuel for your body and it also plays other critical roles in keeping your body functioning well..
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The meat is just an added benefit. The smoked hock has a smoked flavor, you get flavor from the fat and flavor from the bones. ... The sliced type need to be cooked just as long because it's not about getting the meat done, it's about extracting flavor..
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Most ham hocks are smoked and cured and taste very salty. To reduce the salt level and to remove any impurities, a long washing or soaking is needed before using the ham hock in cooking. Vigorously wash the exterior of the ham hocks with a scrub brush to remove any visible dirt..
A few more cooking questions 📍