Lechon Asado - Traditional Roasted Cuban Pork
This singlehandedly is the signature Cuban dish; it is the heart of Cuban cuisine. Simple to prepare and like nothing you have ever tasted before, this dish is most certainly a crowd pleaser.
Ingredients
5 lbs pork shoulder, bone in
2 cups orange juice
1 cup lemon juice
6 cloves garlic, minced
2½ tbsp. MarnaMaria Carne Criolla blend
1 tbsp. coarse salt
2 onions, sliced
Directions
In a bowl, combine the orange and lemon juices. In a separate small bowl, combine the garlic and the Carne Criolla blend.
Take the pork and with a sharp knife, make several deep cuts into the meat. Season the meat well with the salt.
Take the garlic seasoning mixture and rub all over the pork, being sure to put the mixture into all of the created holes.
Place the pork in a large plastic bag or large bowl and cover with sliced onions and the citrus marinade mixture.
Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and for as long as 24 hours.
When ready to cook, preheat oven to 325ºF.
Place pork, fat side up, and all juices and onions into a roasting pan and cover pan with aluminum foil.
Roast for 4 hours or until tender, basting the pork every 30 minutes.
Uncover, raise temperature to 375ºF, and cook for 30 minutes longer to allow the top to brown.
The pork is ready when it is fork tender and easily falls off the bone.
Let cool for 10 minutes, covered. Shred the pork using the juices as a sauce.
Serves 6
This recipe works great as well with pork chops!
Wine Pairings
While Cuba may not be noted for its wine production, that does not mean that other regional wines cannot pair well with its cuisine!
Key flavors seen in Cuban cuisine are predominantly citrus fruits, herbs and sweeter flavors. It is important to remember that Cuban food is NOT spicy. Look for wines that pair well with natural sweetness in foods and also complement delicate spices and herbs such as oregano and dried garlic.
We recommend light bodied wines with slight tannins (if looking to a red wine) or wines with complementing citrus flavors (generally found in white wine) that will bring forward the underlying tastes and aromas present in Cuban dishes.
WHITE
Sauvignon Blanc
Chenin Blanc, dry
Pinot Grigio
RED
Tempranillo
Syrah/Grenache, Cotes du Rhone
Pinot Noir
Get The Blend Here!
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