Holy wow! I'm just getting caught up in this thread, what a discussion!
I'll offer up some pearls of wisdom...not something I'm accused of every day of the week.
We watched a video, I don't remember what it was called but "Will it bacon?" would probably find it. The guy's bacon collection would reduce Noah to tears.
The supermarket here sells precooked pork knuckles in a two pack; one for now and one for later. It's delicious.
Guanciale is the cured cheek of a pig. It's traditionally used in carbonara. Also delicious.
Hugs, Devlyn