Instructions:
- Heat a large, heavy-bottomed Dutch Oven over medium-high heat. Brown the ham hock aggressively on all sides (about 5-7 minutes total). Remove the hock and set it aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the rendered fat and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes; cook until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Return the ham hock to the pot. Add the broth/water, vinegar, initial salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce heat to the lowest simmer possible.
- Cover the pot loosely and simmer for 1.5 hours. The liquid should barely bubble.
- Remove the ham hock briefly to shred the meat once tender. Return the shredded meat (discarding excess skin/fat, if desired) to the pot. Add the washed and chopped turnip greens in batches, pushing them down until they submerge.
- Bring the liquid back to a gentle simmer. Cook for another 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the greens are deeply tender and wilted.
- Taste the potlikker. Adjust seasoning by adding more salt, pepper, or vinegar as needed. If the flavour is too sharp, stir in the optional pinch of sugar.
- Serve hot, ensuring each portion receives a generous ladle of the rich potlikker.