cuts of pork

Pieces taken from a pig carcass, the most tender of which come from the loin (back); the side (belly), leg (butt) and shoulder are the least tender parts.

ground pork

It is made from various parts of the pig and is very tender; it is used especially to make stuffed vegetables and meat loaf.

spareribs

They comprise sections of rib taken from the back and the attached muscles; North American-style Chinese cooking usually serves them with sweet-and-sour sauce.

hock

Also called "shank end", it comes from the lower section of the pig’s front or hind leg; it is used to make the traditional pork hock stew.

smoked ham

Taken from the pig’s legs, this cut is preserved by smoking; it is sold as is, boned or sliced and can be prepared in numerous ways.

loin chop

Piece composed of a bone from the rib section and the attached muscles; some, like the butterfly chop, are sold boned.

roast

Piece of meat intended for roasting; the gigot, taken from the hind section of the carcass, is the best-known cut and is a traditional Easter dish in some countries.