A Deliciously Tasty Pigs Feet Soup Recipe
Once thought as “scraps” to be thrown away or to be eaten only if given no choice, pigs’ feet are now considered a delicacy. Trotters, as they are called, are packed with a savory, mild flavor. They are often the centerpiece of holidays and special occasions. Low in fat, high in collagen, and not as greasy as the rest of the pig.
They do take a while to cook, as it takes time to break down the cartilage and ligaments. But the delightful flavor is worth the wait. Pigs’ feet can be prepared and used in many different ways. From pickling and BBQ, to jellied and soups.
Here, we present you with a tasty pigs feet soup recipe. It combines ingredients from two traditional Hawaiian and El Salvadoran recipes. The two cultures pair up to make an unforgettably divine bowl of deliciousness.
A Deliciously Tasty Pigs Feet Soup Recipe.
This soup will take about 2 hours total. But you will be glad you took the time.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds of pig’s feet
- 96 ounces (12 cups) of water
- 4 green onions, knotted together
- 6 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup of ginger crushed
- 5 pieces of star anise
- 2 tablespoons of white miso
- 2 cubes of fermented bean curd
- 1-1/2 tablespoons of oyster sauce
- 1-1/2 tablespoons of aloha shoyu (soy sauce)
- 1 tablespoon of shoaxing wine
- 1 tablespoon palm sugar
- 3 ounces nishime kombu
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup of celery, minced
- 1 cup of carrots, finely chopped
- 1 large white radish, peeled and cubed
- 6 dried shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, soaked in water
Directions
- In a large pot, over a medium heat, combine the pig’s feet, green onion, ginger, star anise, and garlic.
- Bring to a boil, then lower the heat, and then let simmer for 1-1/2 to 2 hours.
- Strain the broth and return it to the pot. Toss out the ginger, green onion, garlic, and star anise.
- Skim any residue off the top.
- Stir the bean curd, miso, aloha shoyu (soy sauce), oyster sauce, wine, sugar, salt and pepper.
- Return the pigs feet to the pot along with the remaining ingredients of mushrooms, carrots, celery, and radish.
- Simmer for 40 minutes or until all ingredients are tender.
- Taste, add seasoning if needed.
Nutritional Information
- calories: 120
- fat: 6.7 grams
- cholesterol: 42.6 milligrams
- sodium: 70 milligrams
- carbohydrates: 5.1 grams
- fiber: 1.2 grams
- protein: 9.6 grams
What Are Some Benefits Of the Pigs Feet Soup Recipe?
As touched upon earlier, pigs’ feet are loaded with collagen. This nutrient is excellent for helping to promote healthy skin and to fight the aging process. Collagen helps us to retain our skin’s natural elasticity as we age.
It also helps to improve muscle mass and overall strength. Known for its ability to fight joint pain, it’s an essential nutrient for older people and those with arthritis.
Pregnant women’s day new mothers from many cultures consume the soup to help fight nausea during pregnancy and to fight off negative post partum symptoms after giving birth.
Pig’s feet also contain a good amount of iron, zinc, and calcium, all minerals that benefit our bodies.
What’s The Best Way To Clean Pig’s Feet?
Pickling, braising, frying, stewing, barbecuing, and jellying are all tasty ways to eat trotters. No matter how you choose to prepare your pigs’ feet, one thing that’s a must, is to properly clean them first.
To wash them, you’ll need to soak them in warm salt water for a bit. Then use the salt water to thoroughly scrub the feet. This will not only get rid of dirt and debris, but will get rid of the gamey taste.
You may also need to pluck a few hairs. But at an average of $2.00 a pound, it’s a small price to pay.
How Long Will Pigs Feet Soup Leftovers Last?
As with any pork dish, pigs feet soup will last up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. If you choose to freeze your soup, it will keep for about 3 months.What Goes Well With A Pig’s Feet Soup Recipe?
The flavor of pig’s feet soup is so versatile, that just about anything can be paired with it. From traditional and simple sides to healthy and more modern choices. There’s something for everyone. Here are a few ideas.
- cornbread
- biscuits
- mac and cheese
- white rice
- greek salad
- collard greens ( you can also substitute turnip or kale)
- potatoes ( boiled, roasted, or fried)
- beans ( black-eyed, navy, pinto, etc)
- corn on the cob
- dumplings
- baked sweet potato
- steamed veggies
- tomato and avocado salad
- bruschetta
Can Eating Pigs Feet Help Save The Planet?
Apparently, eating pigs’ feet, among other “non-traditional ” parts of livestock, can indeed help our planet. According to an article published by CNN, “the meat industry accounts for 14.5% of total greenhouse emissions”. So there’s been a trend developing called “nose to tail” eating.
As the name suggests, it involves eating all the edible parts of the animal. Nothing goes to waste, from ears and intestines to organs and feet. If people ate more offal and trotters, these dangerous emissions could drop considerably.
Trevor Gullier, who founded the first nose to tail restaurant, in London, called St. John, stated that “offal opens up the sense of the whole beast to the western world and brings back greater skills into our kitchens.” Some of his favorite nose to tail dishes include:
- Roasted bone marrow and parsley salad with veal shin bones
- Rolled pig’s spleen with sage and bacon
- Terrine, using whatever parts are on hand at the time,(liver, offal, heart, kidneys).
- Deviled kidneys, lamb kidneys cooked in Worcestershire sauce and served on toast.
- Crumbled lamb brains with horseradish mayo
- Seared chicken livers, sage, and apples
- Crunchy pig ears and caramelized onions
- Beef tongue and tacos
- Pork neck soup
- Tripe with tomato and fennel
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