Heavy-salt preserved pork belly — the pot seasoning before refrigeration existed. Older than ham hocks in the Black Southern tradition.
Salt pork was the preservation technology that made pork available year-round before refrigerators existed. Black households in the Deep South and Appalachia kept a piece in the pantry the way others kept cooking oil.
Extremely high in sodium — a single 2-oz piece can exceed 1,000mg. No meaningful micronutrient contribution beyond fat. Use as a flavoring element, not a food.
Rinse thoroughly before use to reduce surface salt. Score and add to dried bean pots or green pots early in cooking. Do not add additional salt to the pot until you've tasted after the pork has cooked in.
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