Using Smoked Pork Shanks

[mattwarner]

I bought a package of smoked pork shanks today. They're not that large (about 4-1/2 inches long, about 3 inches wide at the widest and an inch wide at the narrow end), but they look really meaty. I was going to use one in a bean or lentil soup later this week, but I'm not sure how to use them. Can I just throw one in to boil with the other soup ingredients? For those not going in soup, how can I use the meat? Just braise it in some tomato sauce or something else?

[Cheese Boy]

Smoked whole shanks. Wow.

These are a perfect addition to any pot of braised or boiled greens. Collard greens, and cabbage are those that I recommend most. The long cooking time allows the meat to marry its flavors with those of the greens. If you don't like greens now, you WILL like them after they're married with that pork. Believe me on that.

[mattwarner]

Thank you all for your quick replies! I was really worried about just cooking the shanks (per the label - I was looking for "ham hocks" in the store) in simmering water, but it sounds like that is a fair way to deal with it. I really appreciate your help!

[Hank Hanover]

I use two with my beans. I make a stock with the hocks (er shanks). then cook the beans in the stock. If I want the beans really rich, I use half chicken stock or broth with the water to make the stock. You can use pretty much whatever bean you want. I like Great Northern. Most of my neighbors use pinto beans.

I use 2 shanks because at the end you break it up and discard the bones, gristle, fat and skin. That doesn't leave a lot of meat from one.

You could cook grean beans with a smoked pork shank. That's good.

[paulj]

Braise them with sauerkraut, I include onions, apples, juniper berries. Braise until the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender, and kraut starts to caramelize.

[Cherylptw]

I use smoked meat parts (pork hocks, tails, neck bones, etc) in soups, sauces, and all kinds of vegetable dishes. I also like to cook & eat them as an entree. When making soup, I just add it to the pot to cook with the other ingredients. Try adding to a pot of water to boil for a while before adding potatoes to simmer. Delicious. You can use the meat to season much in the same way as adding ham or bacon to a dish.