The Pickled Southern Delicacy Packed With Flavor And Culture

When you think of Southern food, your mind probably jumps straight to classics like shrimp and grits, biscuits and gravy, or fried chicken. But there's one lesser-known delicacy that's worth your time, even if it might seem intimidating at first to some eaters.

That delicacy is pickled pig's feet, a very underrated cut of pork. In the South, you can find them without much trouble at all, not just in grocery stores but even at many gas stations. They're pretty much what the name implies: Pig trotters are cooked (usually boiled) and then pickled in a vinegar brine. The final product is a mix of flavors, with salty and tangy hits from the brining process, but still a distinctive pork taste underpinning it all, with some comparing it to preserved pork products like bologna or porchetta. They're usually eaten as an appetizer, side dish, or snack, sometimes with some hot sauce added for a little kick.

They can definitely be an acquired taste, though. Some people find the vinegary taste to be too intense, but arguably the main thing that most don't like is the texture. They're pretty gelatinous, although those who enjoy them say the fat has a creamy quality. There's also a lot of connective tissue, so they can be a bit chewy, which isn't to everybody's taste. The exact flavor varies based on what spices or aromatics are added during the pickling process: These can include mustard seeds, chili flakes, garlic, cloves, and pepper.

Pickled pig's feet have a long history in the South, likely becoming popular during the era of slavery. Slave owners would claim the prime cuts of an animal for themselves and leave the remaining parts (such as feet) to slaves. Not wanting to be wasteful, pickling was one way to both preserve them and add some flavor.

Although pickled pig's feet arguably found their way into the Southern diet out of a mixture of thrift and necessity, they eventually became integrated into food traditions. You'll sometimes see them eaten during New Year's celebrations, as part of a belief that they bring success and good fortune for the new year. You might find them served alongside other Southern staples like collard greens and black-eyed peas, and like those dishes, pig's feet are considered to be a comforting soul food by some.

Pickled pig's feet have become a culinary staple, and were also a popular bar snack for a period of time, although that's less common now. If you're not in the South but still want to taste them, big stores like Walmart may stock them; expect to pay around $10 for a 16-ounce jar. That said, aficionados would argue that a homemade version is superior — but you'll need a few days up your sleeve to wait for the pickling process to work.