LEG OF PORK WITH CRACKLINGS

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Leg of Pork with Cracklings image

Not to be confused with ham, a fresh leg of pork is relatively uncommon today. The traditional Cuban way is to dress it with oregano and lemon, an approach that couldn't be easier -- or better.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Pork Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 heads garlic, minced, plus 5 cloves, halved
1/4 cup grated lemon zest
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3 bunches fresh oregano, chopped
1 1/2 cups extra-virgin olive oil
11/2 cups extra-virgin olive oil
1 leg of pork (20 pounds), bone-in, skin-on
2 cups dry white wine

Steps:

  • Mix minced garlic, lemon zest and juice, oregano, 2 teaspoons salt, and the oil in a medium bowl.
  • Using a sharp knife, make parallel cuts all over pork leg, cutting through skin and fat (but not meat), spacing cuts 1/2 inch apart. Using a paring knife, cut ten 1/2-inch slits into meat (between parallel cuts). Stuff each slit with a halved garlic clove.
  • Pat garlic mixture all over pork, pushing paste between each parallel line and covering pork. Season generously with salt and pepper. Transfer to a large plastic bag set in a pan (such as a turkey roasting bag), leaving top open to let skin dry. Refrigerate overnight (or up to 2 days).
  • Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Position rack in lower third of oven. Remove pork from bag, and place in a large roasting pan, skin side up. Let stand 1 hour at room temperature. Season again with salt and pepper, and pour wine in pan. Roast for 45 minutes, reduce heat to 350, and continue roasting until thickest part of pork registers 145 degrees on a meat thermometer, about 3 hours. (Check temperature every 15 minutes during final hour of roasting.) Let rest at least 1 hour before serving.

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