Pig's ear (food) facts for kids
Pig's ear is simply the cooked ear of a domestic pig. People around the world enjoy eating it in many different ways. It's a food found in various cultures across the globe.
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Pig's Ear as a Food
Around the World
Pig's ear is a popular food in many countries. It is often prepared in unique ways, depending on the local traditions and flavors.
Bulgarian Cuisine
In Bulgaria, pig's ear is a tasty appetizer. People often eat it with beer or wine. First, it is boiled until soft. Then, it is grilled and seasoned with lemon, soy sauce, salt, and pepper.
Chinese Cuisine
Quick facts for kids Pig's ear |
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| Traditional Chinese | 豬耳 | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 猪耳 | ||||||||||
| Literal meaning | pig's ear | ||||||||||
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In Chinese cuisine, pig's ear is often served as an appetizer or a side dish. It is called 豬耳朵 (zhū ěr duo), which means "pig's ear." Sometimes, it is just called 豬耳 (zhū ěr). In some areas, people call it 层层脆 (ceng ceng cui), meaning "layers of crunch," because of its texture.
It can be boiled or stewed first. Then, it is sliced thinly. People serve it with soy sauce or spicy chili paste. When cooked, the outside part feels soft and jelly-like, similar to tofu. The middle part, which is cartilage, is crunchy. Pig's ear can be eaten either warm or cold.
Cantonese Cuisine
In Cantonese cuisine, pig's ear is used in a type of dish called lou mei. This cooking style focuses on using all edible parts of the pig. Pig's ears are a common ingredient and are not considered a special delicacy.
Filipino Cuisine
In the Philippines, a dish called Sisig sometimes includes pig's ears. It is often mixed with other parts of the pig, like the tail and cheeks.
Lithuanian Cuisine
In Lithuania, pig's ear is known as kiaulės ausis. It can be served in two main ways. One way is smoked and cut into thin strips, often eaten as a snack with beer. The other way is boiled whole and served as a main meal with horseradish and fresh vegetables or pickles.
Okinawan Cuisine
In Okinawan cuisine, pig's ear is called mimigaa (ミミガー). It is prepared by boiling or pickling. People serve it with vinegar or as sashimi, which means thinly sliced raw meat. In Okinawa, the entire pig's face is also eaten and is known as chiragaa (チラガー).
Spanish Cuisine
In Spanish cuisine, pig's ear is called Oreja de Cerdo. It is often fried or grilled and served as one of the popular tapas snacks. It can also be boiled in different kinds of stew and cocido (a type of stew).
Portuguese Cuisine
In Portuguese cuisine, pig's ear is first boiled and then roasted. It is often prepared with garlic and fresh coriander and called Orelha de Porco de Coentrada.
Thai Cuisine
In Thai cuisine, pig's ears are used in many different dishes. One example is chin som mok, a northern Thai dish where fermented sliced pig's ears are grilled in a banana leaf. Another popular dish is yam hu mu, which is a Thai salad made with sliced, boiled pig's ears.
United States Cuisine
Pig's ears are a part of soul food cuisine. This type of cooking started among African-Americans in the southern United States.
"Pig's ears" is also a name for a boiled pastry in some regions. This pastry is made from dough, similar to pie crust. It is rolled out and cut into large circles, usually about 3 inches wide. A sweet fruit filling or a savory cheese filling is placed in the middle. The pastry is then folded over and sealed with a fork. These "pig's ears" are boiled until they are cooked and eaten warm. They can also be baked, deep-fried, or pan-fried after boiling. Often, powdered sugar is sprinkled on top.
Livermush is a pork product common in Western North Carolina. It is made using pig livers, pig's ears, snouts, cornmeal, and spices.
Vietnamese Cuisine
In Vietnamese cuisine, pig's ear is thinly sliced and mixed with roasted, finely-ground rice flour. People can eat it by itself or wrap it with herbs in rice paper. It is usually served with Vietnamese dipping sauce.
Dog Treats
In some countries, pig's ears are also used as dog treats. You can often find them for sale in pet shops.
See also
In Spanish: Oreja de cerdo para niños
