Pork Belly Cracklings

For those times when you are in the mood to gorge but don’t have the time to cook a feast, I’ve got the snack for you. I used to only have crackling at Christmas, once the ham had finished cooking but it wasn’t yet time to have the family dinner, we would cut off some of the skin off the ham sprinkle it with salt and blast it in the oven. I remember the first time I ever had it, on one hand it felt like I was going to break my teeth and they’d fall out of my head because it was SO crunchy, but then the salty sweetness was addictive that I kept going for more.

If you’ve ever had the tasteless bags of pork skin from your local convenience store please do not use them as a reference for this recipe. I don’t recommend that this recipe become one of your regulars but I do think you should pull it out once in a while for a different kind of treat.

YIELD 6 to 8 snack servings

TIME 1 hour

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE PORK

2  pounds fatty, boneless pork belly with skin

3  quarts peanut oil

1 ½  teaspoons kosher salt

FOR THE SPICE MIX

¼  teaspoon cayenne pepper

¼  teaspoon paprika

⅛  teaspoon white pepper

⅛  teaspoon black pepper

¾  teaspoon chili powder

⅛  teaspoon garlic powder

PREPARATION

FOR THE PORK

1. Using a utility knife, razor blade or sharp knife, score skin into 1 1/2-inch squares, then use score marks as guides to cut through meat and fat underneath, resulting in 1 1/2-inch cubes.
2. Pour oil into a pot deep enough that top of oil is at least 6 inches from rim; place over medium-high heat. When oil reaches 225 degrees on a deep-fat frying thermometer, add pork cubes and immediately stir gently to prevent clumping. Cook pork until it is lightly golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels and allow to cool for at least 20 minutes. Meanwhile, combine spices in a small bowl.
3. Reheat oil to 400 or 425 degrees and add pork again. Cook for another 3 to 5 minutes or until skin “cracks” or bubbles up. Remove cubes to a plate lined with fresh paper towels. After a minute put cracklings in a bowl, toss with spice mix and kosher salt, and serve.