CUBAN-STYLE ROAST PIG

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Cuban-Style Roast Pig image

Feed a hungry crowd with chef Roberto Guerra's zesty suckling pig recipe, prepared using his innovative Caja China slow-roasting grill. For step-by-step photos of the roasting process, visit lacajachina.com.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dinner Recipes

Yield Serves 25 to 30

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 (45- to 50-pound) dressed pig, backbone split lengthwise (have your butcher do this)
2 recipes Cuban Mojo, prepared separately
1/3 cup Adobo Criollo
1 large onion, chopped, for serving (optional)

Steps:

  • Place pig skin side down on a large work surface. Strain one recipe of the mojo into a bowl, reserving solids. Transfer liquid to a large syringe and inject the mojo into the meat of the pig every 3 to 4 inches, taking care not to push syringe down so far that it punctures the skin on the underside of the meat. Sprinkle the interior and exterior of the pig with adobo criollo and rub all over; rub reserved solids from mojo over rib cage. Cover and let marinate, chilled, overnight.
  • Bring pig to room temperature. Lock the pig into the wire rack of the Caja China by using the S-hooks. Place locked pig in the Caja China on top of the drip pan, skin side down. Insert a meat thermometer with a cable attachment into the thickest rear section of the pig.
  • Place ash pan and grid tray on top of the Caja China. Fill the bottoms of two large chimney starters with crumpled newspaper. Starting with16 pounds of charcoal briquettes (not instant), fill the tops of the chimney starters with some of the 16 pounds of charcoal. Place a chimney starter on each end of the grid tray; light the newspaper in each chimney starter. Flames will sweep up through the chimney, igniting charcoal. When charcoal is red-hot, after 15 to 20 minutes, dump out charcoal from starters and add remaining charcoal to total 16 pounds; spread evenly across grid tray. After 1 hour of cooking, evenly add 8 pounds charcoal. Repeat process every hour until pig reaches 185 to 187 degrees, about 3 1/2 hours.
  • When pig has reached 185 to 187 degrees, two people wearing protective gloves should raise the grid tray and carefully shake ashes off the coals and into ash pan. Carefully place the grid tray on the long handles. Two people should then lift the ash pan with ashes and safely dispose of them, adding water to ensure they do not cause a fire.
  • Using protective gloves, carefully turn pig skin side up and return to the Caja China. With a knife, carefully make cross cuts into skin between each grid of the rack, taking care not to cut into the meat. Return ash pan and grid tray with hot coals to the Caja China and cook, until skin is crisp, 30 to 45 minutes more.
  • Heat remaining recipe mojo and transfer to a serving bowl. Remove ash pan and grid tray from Caja China. Lift wire rack containing pig out of the Caja China. Detach S-hooks and remove top rack. Serve meat on rolls topped with warm mojo and chopped onions, if desired.

Shadow Husky
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This was my first time making Cuban-style roast pig, and it was a success! The pork was cooked to perfection, and the skin was crispy and delicious. I'll definitely be making this again.


Md Milat
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I'm not a fan of pork, but I tried this recipe at a friend's house and was pleasantly surprised. The pork was so tender and flavorful, and the skin was crispy. I'll definitely be making this again.


Sra Bony
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This recipe is a bit time-consuming, but it's worth it. The pork is so tender and flavorful, and the skin is crispy and delicious. I highly recommend this recipe for a special occasion.


Liaquat Albaloshi
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I've made this recipe several times, and it's always a hit. The pork is always juicy and flavorful, and the skin is crispy and delicious. I highly recommend this recipe.


Helena Akthar Shanta
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This was my first time making Cuban-style roast pig, and it was a success! The pork was cooked to perfection, and the skin was crispy and delicious. I'll definitely be making this again.


Ta'naji Dixon
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I'm not a fan of pork, but I tried this recipe at a friend's house and was pleasantly surprised. The pork was so tender and flavorful, and the skin was crispy. I'll definitely be making this again.


Rafi Khandokar
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This recipe is a bit time-consuming, but it's worth it. The pork is so tender and flavorful, and the skin is crispy and delicious. I highly recommend this recipe for a special occasion.


Wesal khan
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I've made this recipe several times, and it's always a hit. The pork is always juicy and flavorful, and the skin is crispy and delicious. I highly recommend this recipe.


Poshan Fowdar
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This was my first time making Cuban-style roast pig, and it was a success! The pork was cooked to perfection, and the skin was crispy and delicious. I'll definitely be making this again.


Habib Mangi
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I made this recipe for my family, and they loved it! The pork was cooked perfectly, and the mojo sauce was the perfect complement. I'll definitely be making this again.


Christian Mciver
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This recipe is a bit time-consuming, but it's worth it. The pork is so tender and flavorful, and the skin is crispy and delicious. I highly recommend this recipe for a special occasion.


Sara Hesham
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I'm not a fan of pork, but I tried this recipe at a friend's house and was pleasantly surprised. The pork was so tender and flavorful, and the skin was crispy. I'll definitely be making this again.


Small Townboy
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This was my first time making Cuban-style roast pig, and it turned out great! The recipe was easy to follow, and the pork was cooked perfectly. The meat was tender and flavorful, and the skin was crispy. I'll definitely be making this again.


Monsur ali Monsur ali
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I've made this recipe several times, and it's always a crowd-pleaser. The pork is always juicy and flavorful, and the skin is crispy and delicious. I highly recommend this recipe.


Bree Hayes
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I followed the recipe exactly, and the results were amazing. The pork was cooked to perfection, and the mojo sauce was the perfect complement. My guests raved about it!


Brian Cook
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This Cuban-style roast pig was a hit at my party! The meat was so tender and flavorful, and the skin was perfectly crispy. I'll definitely be making this again.