How to Fry Hog's Jowl for New Year's

In the South, hog's jowl is part of the New Year's Day tradition. Southerners fry hog's jowl because it ensures good health for the coming year. While it may seem a lot like bacon, the cooking process is a bit different. Read on to learn how to fry hog's jowl for New Year's.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• 1 lb. of hog's jowl slices
• Kitchen shears
• Bacon press
• 12-inch cast iron skillet
• Tongs
• Plate
• Paper towels

1. Remove hog's jowl from package and cut off the outer rind using kitchen shears.
2. Place a single layer of hog's jowl in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat and cover with the bacon press.
3. Fry until golden brown on the first side and flip using the tongs. Place bacon press back on the slices.
4. Once the slices are golden brown on both sides, remove from the skillet and place on a plate that has been covered with paper towels. This will allow the excess fat to drain away from the meat.

Tips & Warnings

• The second side will cook much faster.
• You may need to cook the meat in more than one batch, depending on the size of the slices.
• Do not turn your stove above medium heat or the hog's jowl will burn on the outside and be raw in the middle.