If you loved January’s one-two punch of strange animal-themed holidays, Squirrel Appreciation Day and National Penguin Awareness Day, you’re sure to enjoy National Pig Day! It’s celebrated this year, as it has been every year since 1972, on March 1. If you’re not in the mood to roast a pig, then be sure to check out Wagshal’s Imports where you can purchase FERMIN Ibérico de Bellota pork.
Roast Suckling Pig
Serves about 12
INGREDIENTS
- 1 (15 pound) suckling pig
- Kosher salt and cracked black pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped garlic
- 1/2 cup finely chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh thyme
- Salt and fine black pepper
- 3 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons cumin
- 2 cups julienne onions
- 6 oranges, halved
- 3 limes, halved
- 3 lemons, halved
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 cup white wine
- Rice and Black Bean Dressing
PREPARATION
This recipe is a two day procedure. Make sure that your butcher thoroughly cleans the suckling pig. By cleaning inside and out and removes the eyeballs. With a knife make several cuts on the pig’s skin so the skin doesn’t burst during cooking. Prop the pig’s mouth open with a small yam. Season the entire pig with kosher salt and cracked black pepper. Place the pig in a garbage bag and tie the back tightly. Place the pig in the refrigerator and chill for 12 hours. Remove from the refrigerator and rinse thoroughly. In a mixing bowl combine the garlic, parsley, thyme, cumin, bay leaves, onions, juice of the orange,lime, lemon, olive oil and wine. Whisk the marinade until incorporated. Season with salt and pepper. Place the pig back in the bag and pour the marinade over the pig. Tie the back tightly and place back in the refrigerator. Turn the pig every three hours. Refrigerate the pig for 12 hours. Remove the pig from the refrigerator and out of the bag, reserve the marinade. Stuff the cavity with the stuffing. Using a kitchen needle and thread, tie up the cavity. Tie the front legs and then back legs. Cover the tail with aluminum foil. Place the pig on a large roasting pan and pour the reserved marinade over the pig. Place the pig in the oven. Roast the pig in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20 minutes per pound, about 5 hours, basting and turning the pig every hour. For unstuffed pig, roast at 350 degrees for 15 minutes per pound. Internal temperature should be about 155 to 160 degrees for both methods. Remove the pig from the oven and allow the pig to rest for about 30 minutes before slicing.
Rice and black bean dressing:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 1/2 cup celery
- 1/2 pound lean ground pork
- 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
- 2 cups cooked black beans
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- Juice of 2 oranges
- Salt and pepper
In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the onions and celery. Season with salt and pepper. Saute the vegetables for 2 minutes. Add the ground pork and continue to saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic, cumin, and parsley. Continue to saute for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and turn into a mixing bowl. Stir in the beans and rice. Season with salt and pepper. Moisten the stuffing with the juice of 2 oranges.
Yield: about 7 to 8 cups of stuffing
