Author’s Note

Realizing that pork is out of the question for many people for health and religious reasons, I have a few substitutions that might come in handy. Smoked turkey wings go excellently with collard greens or black-eyed peas. The myriad sorts of seafood, poultry, and meats that vegan artisans are able to fashion from soy products add texture to many a dish. And on a more traditional southern note, pan drippings from beef, lamb, turkey, duck, and chicken, of course, can always be substituted in a recipe that calls for oil, as will olive oil with garlic, ginger, tarragon, or oregano. My very favorite type is clarified goose fat. Experiment or make some up. These options as opposed to pork should do just fine.