Jumari

Jumări are Romanian-style pork cracklings that are made by frying pieces of pork belly or pork rinds with fat and meat attached to them. The slightly crispy and oozy pork pieces are typically seasoned with salt or paprika and consumed right away, but they are also often preserved in lard and kept frozen for future consumption. In Romania, this pork specialty has been traditionally prepared after the traditional pigs’ sacrifice on St. Ignatius Day, celebrated on December 20, and it is typically featured on the festive Christmas tables along with other traditional Romanian dishes. Jumări are typically eaten as snacks or hors-d'oeuvres with some mustard or horseradish paste, lots of fresh bread, and onions, and they are usually washed down with some strong Romanian liquor such as plum brandy.