YUCATECAN-STYLE PORK

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Yucatecan-Style Pork image

Categories     Garlic     Herb     Onion     Pork     Bake     Freeze/Chill     Gourmet

Yield Makes 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

6 pound boneless pork shoulder (not lean), cut into 3-inch chunks
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup fresh Seville (bitter) orange juice
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon whole allspice
3 tablespoons annatto (achiote) seeds
6 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon dried oregano (preferably Mexican), crumbled
1 large white onion, halved lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1/2-inch slices
3 fresh or thawed frozen banana leaves
Accompaniments: habanero salsa ; warm tortillas or rice
Special Equipment
an electric coffee/spice grinder; a 15- by 1O-inch roasting pan (2 inches deep)

Steps:

  • Put pork in a large bowl and rub with 1 teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons juice.
  • Toast peppercorns, cumin, and allspice together, then cool slightly. Transfer to grinder along with annatto seeds and grind to a powder. Transfer to a small bowl.
  • Mince garlic and mash to a paste with remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt using side of a large heavy knife. Add to ground spices along with oregano and remaining 6 tablespoons juice and stir to make a paste.
  • Toss pork with paste to coat well. Add onion and toss to combine.
  • Holding both ends of a banana leaf, drag leaf over a burner on moderately high heat slowly until it changes color slightly and becomes shinier, then turn over and toast other side. Toast remaining banana leaves in same manner.
  • Line roasting pan with leaves, shinier sides down, by arranging 1 leaf lengthwise and 2 leaves crosswise, letting excess hang over sides. Trim overhang to about 8 inches on all sides.
  • Transfer pork mixture to banana leaves, then fold overhang of leaves over pork to enclose completely. Cover pan tightly with foil and chill, at least 6 hours.
  • Put oven rack in middle position, then put pan with pork in oven and heat to 400°F (to take chill off pork gently).
  • Once oven has reached 400°F, bake until pork is very tender, 2 1/4 to 2 3/4 hours.
  • Discard foil and open banana leaves, then serve pork with salsa and tortillas.

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