A meat shank or shin is the portion of meat around the tibia of the animal, the far end of the leg. Meat shanks are commonly available for veal and lamb; cured pork shanks are known as ham hocks. Beef shank is the main source of extra-lean ground beef, so is no longer commonly seen for retail sale in the United States. Shank meat is tough and lean, and benefits from long, slow moist cooking, which makes it succulent and gelatinous. Ossobuco alla milanese is a famous Italian veal shank dish.
