PERNIL - PUERTO RICAN PORK ROAST

PERNIL - PUERTO RICAN PORK ROAST image

Yield 10-12 Servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

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(1) 5-8 lb. pork shoulder (pernil 'fresh ham' or 'cali')
2 cloves of garlic per pound of pernil
1 teaspoon of olive oil per pound of pernil
1 teaspoon of salt per pound of pernil
1 teaspoon of black pepper per 5 pounds of pernil
1 teaspoon of oregano per 5 pounds of pernil
1 teaspoon of vinegar per pound of pernil
1 teaspoon of sofrito/recaito per pound of pernil
2 cups of water (to add to roasting pan)
Take half of your garlic cloves and slice each one lengthwise, once or twice. Place aside
Example for a 6 pound pernil:
12 cloves of garlic
2 Tablespoons of olive oil
2 Tablespoons of salt
1 teaspoon of black pepper
1 teaspoon of oregano
2 Tablespoons of vinegar
2 Tablespoons of sofrito/recaito
2 cups of water (to add to roasting pan)

Steps:

For 6 lb. roast, use above quantity of seasonings. Rinse the pork under cold running water. ADOBO RUB: adding whole garlic cloves (not sliced) to a morter & pestle. Mash; add olive oil, salt, pepper, oregano and vinegar. Stir and mash to a course paste. PREPARE MEAT: Make 25-30 slits 1" wide by 2" deep in meat on all sides, top & bottom. Using handle of small tsp, push some sofrito into each slit. Next, put a slice garlic in each slit with sofrito. If you have extra garlic slices left, just double up if not enough, slice some up. Take ADOBO PASTE and rub all over pork. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate overnight (Or at least a few hours). TO COOK: Remove from refrig 1 hour before cooking. Preheat oven to 350(F). Unwrap pernil. Put in roaster, add 2 cups wtter; covered loosely with foil. Cook 30 - 35 mins per pound (5 lb. = 2½-3 Hrs; 6 lb. = 3-3½ Hrs; 7 lb. = 3½ -4 Hrs. Internal temp of 185-190F). After 2 hrs uncover and baste. Continue cooking, uncovered basting every 30 minutes. If you run out of juices, just add 1-2 cups water. Once pernil is done, remove from oven and let rest 15 mins before carving. This lets it cool and allows juices to stay within the roast. ENJOY! Eat as a meat dish with rice or in CUBAN SANDWICHES.