Fresh Local Pork Belly

Pork belly is an inexpensive, fatty cut of meat from the underside of the pig near the loin. Spareribs also come from this area. Whole, the belly is one long piece with the skin on, weighing about 12 pounds. When the skin is removed, it’s salted, cured and smoked to make bacon. (If it’s salted and cured but not smoked, it’s Italian pancetta.) Pork bellies are more traditionally seen in the cuisines of northern Europe and Asia.