Chicharrones are deep-fried pork skin. This finger food has become one of the most famous foods in the US. The demand for Chicharrones is accerlating immensely since past 20 years. People following the keto diet are responsible for this boost. However, many of them follow a homemade Chicharrones recipe to avoid fats and carbs as much as they can.
Chicharrones is common in gas stations, convenience stores, and regular grocery stores. Also, they are the traditional food of Thailand, which is called Kaeb Moo.
Chicharrones Back In History
Well, the Chicharrones recipe came into play in the 1700s. Chicharrones is the Spanish name for Pork rinds. It originated in Andalusia, in Spain. Mexico even came up with a vegetarian version of it in the 1980s through a snack company named ‘Barcle.’
It was referred to as the epitome of Southern cuisine poverty back then. Later, the Chicharrones recipe became a part of the cuisine of Venezuela, Mexico, and certain other places.
Chicharrones Today
Chicharrones gained popularity in the 1990s. This happened when the former US President, George Bush. As such, it declared the Chicharrones recipe to be his favorite snack recipe. They gained even more fame recently. This happened due to the absence of extra carbs and gluten.
People who follow low-carb diets consume to this snack immensely. They are a great source of protein. Individuals on keto diets consider it to be their guilt-free snack. Sometimes people also subsitute it for bread crumbs or as a garnishing material for cocktails.
Nutrients In The Chicharrones Recipe
Opting for a 14-gram Chicharrone will give you the following nutrients:
- 80 calories.
- Nine grams of protein and 5 grams of fat make up 7% of the daily value of body fats.
- 0 grams of carbohydrates, fiber, and sugars.
- 20 mg of cholesterol that makes up to 11% of the daily value of cholesterol.
- 270 mg of sodium makes up to 6% of your body’s daily value of sodium intake.
- They do not have any minerals or vitamins.
Health Concerns Related To Chicharrones
- Processed Food
Chicharrones come under the category of extremely processed foods. And processed foods are higher in fat and salt than any unprocessed foods. They increase the number of calories that one intakes. Studies have shown that people who are into processed food have high body mass and gain extra unwanted weight.
- Excess Sodium
When you try out the Chicharrones recipe, you will notice the amount of sodium present in it. As Chicharrones are processed food, they have a large amount of sodium inclusive. So, a 2-ounce bag of Chicharrones contains 50% of the sodium that a healthy diet allows.
If there is an increase in sodium in your body, it will pull more water into your blood. This will raise the amount of blood in your body along with your blood pressure. Also, this can also lead to heart diseases.
- Excess Saturated Fat And Cholesterol
A combination of saturated fat and cholesterol is extremely unhealthy. Also, it is known to raise the level of low-density lipoprotein in your body.
How Can You Add Chicharrones To Your Diet?
You can eat Chicharrones in a limited amount. So, here is the best way to include the Chicharrones recipe in your diet:
- Opt for brands that avoid artificial preservatives and flavors. Also, check the sodium level.
- Since they have a high level of fats, only have them in a moderate amount.
Ingredients Of The Chicharrones Recipe
You can get ready with the dish in approximately 4 hours with:
- Three pounds to 5 pounds of pork skin and back fat.
- Keep extra cooking oil ready.
- Sea salt for taste.
- Pepper for seasoning and flavor.
How To Prepare The Chicharrones Recipe
Step 1- Preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Set up a wire rack along with a baking sheet.
Step 2- Cut the pork fat and skin into long strips of about 2 inches with a sharp knife. Scratch all the fat on the strips that you have cut. Use your knife carefully to get the fats out of the skin and leave a thin layer of fat.
Step 3- After removing the first part of the fat, you can get hold of the skin and proceed with removing more fat. However, you will not be able to remove every single layer of fat, and that is okay.
Step 4- After you have removed all the fat from the pork belly, cut them into square pieces of around 2 inches. Then, place it on the wire rack.
Step 5- Bake it for 3 hours till the skin has dried out to the fullest.
Step 6- After the baking is done, get them out. Heat up your pan with oil and start frying the Chicharrones. However, keep in mind that the oil is not bubbling hot. Your Chicharrones might get burnt if it is bubbling hot.
Step 7- Keep cooking them till they are deep-fried. Frying should take 3 to 5 minutes of your time. Put in salt and pepper and enjoy your dish.
Quick Tip For Your Chicharrones Recipe
If you are willing to eliminate the high-level fat that Chicharrones contain, follow the above-mentioned recipe. If you wish to keep the fat on, you can skip the last part of step 2 and the entire step 3.
Conclusion
If you are into a low carbohydrates diet, this is a great pick for you. However, you have to keep in mind that Chicharrones can negatively affect your health.
If you have planned to make Chicharrones for yourself, know that they will remain crispy for a long time. You can enjoy them a few hours after you make them as well.