Tonsoku

Douzo, how bout a bit of pig's foot?
This was placed before me last Friday at the farewell party for a fellow sensei. "Douzo Joy-su!" My co-workers exclaimed. "How about Okinawa pig foot?" How about it indeed. chotto....

Okinawa is ranked #1 of all of Japan's prefectures in eating pork. Every part of the pig is eaten in Okinawa. For example:

mimigaa -- pig's ear in vinegar

nakami-jiru -- pork guts soup

ashi-tibichi -- stewed pig's feet

I actively avoid meat, but I have been served both a bowl of pig's ear cartilage, and this here pig's foot during my 5 months here. If you come visit me, perhaps you, too, may have the pleasure of new and interesting pig parts.