Roasting a pig (Cuban style)

[Professor]

So, I'm going to be roasting a 50lb pig on Feb 9. Gonna do it Cuban style, which means no rotisserie, no pits and buried pigs, etc.

I've got a 5'x3'x3' box made from cinder blocks. It is lined on the inside with aluminum foil. Charcoal goes into each corner.

The butterflied pig is marinated overnight in mojo. It goes only a 5x3 aluminum rack that I made, skin side down. I put another identical rack on top, and use bolts to attach the two. Whole thing goes onto the pit, followed by a lid made from aluminum sheet metal shaped like a shoebox lid.

Cooks like that for a few hours, basting and adding charcoal every now and then. There are also pans on the bottom to collect the grease. After a few hours, I turn the whole thing over (hence, that second grate). After an additional 2 hours that way, remove the pig and put all the coals right in the middle of the box, then put the pig back on, skin side down. This crisps up the skin nicely.

Off she comes and we eat.

Suggestions?

The best resource: http://cuban-christmas.com/pigroast.html

[Precocity]

yeah.



Go with the theme.

[HeatherG]

where do you get a whole pig? and does it come de-eyed?

[J.K. Gregg]

What time should I get there?

[The Dharma Bum]

I'll bet that's some good eating right there, son.

[Professor]

Called up a butcher and asked them. They referred me to another place called Emmett's, here in NO.

For $150-$200, I get a 50lb pig, cleaned (no hair and no organs in the chest cavity) and butterflied. I actually am going to ask them if I can keep the heart and liver. Might make something from those. Eyes are still there, as are ears and tail.

I've had cochon de laits (the French version of this) and Hawaiian-style roasted pig. For some reason, this one is 2x as good. The mojo (sour orange juice, garlic, olive oil and oregano) simply makes this version awesome. I won't use olive oil, as the rendering pig fat will take care of lubrication and ensuring the skin gets crispy without drying.

[exploited]

I'm salivating.

[uebermann]

$200 for a 50lb pig already cleaned? Thats a steal IMO.

Let us know how it turns out - sounds pretty damn tasty.

[WizardfromOz]

[J.K. Gregg]

PCF House Party

Non hosts because he's geographically in the middle.