In soul food, what animal part are chitterlings?

Chitterlings are pig intestines, cleaned and cooked in a dish associated with Southern and soul food traditions.

Preparing chitterlings traditionally requires extensive cleaning and long cooking. Recipes may include vinegar, onions, peppers, or other seasonings. Their strong flavor and labor-intensive preparation have made them a distinctive food, especially at holiday gatherings and family celebrations.

Chitterlings are linked to the broader history of using every edible part of an animal. Under slavery and segregation, Black cooks developed highly skilled methods for transforming inexpensive or less-valued ingredients into nourishing dishes. The food is not exclusively African American, however; related preparations appear in several European, Caribbean, and Latin American cuisines.