Cantonese Braised Pig's Trotters (Hong Shao Zhu Ti)
Guangdong Province; national tradition
Braised pig's trotters (猪蹄) are a pan-Chinese comfort food with Cantonese and Northern variants. The Cantonese version is slow-braised in soy, Shaoxing wine, rock sugar, and star anise until the skin is gelatinous and the collagen has melted into the sauce. Traditionally given to new mothers in the postpartum period — the collagen is believed to replenish skin and joints.