What is the Filipino food chicaron and what is it made of?
Chicharon is a crunchy snack, or finger food used as “pulutan” (appetizer) with any alcoholic drink, best dipped in pepper/garlic-laced vinegar for flavor (and for that crackling sound!). Some might come already flavored with garlic or vinegar that no dipping is necessary. When crushed or ground it could be added as embellishment or thickener to noodles. It is of pig or carabao rind, sometimes with slivers or meat attached, deep fried until it expands to its maximum size. The newer versions use chicken skin or pig intestines.