Cochinita Pibil
Cochinita Pibil is a slow-roasted pig dish from Yucatec, Mexico. Pibil Pork is the name given to this meal by Belizeans who do not understand Spanish. The beef is marinated in a sour orange juice that has been spiced with annato seed paste (a native spice called as recado), garlic, allspice, and onion.
The meat is then wrapped in plantain leaf and placed in a huge roasting pan that is either buried or placed inside a clay oven with fuel, where it is slowly roasted and smoked for hours until it is succulent and tender. The Cochinita Pibil is served with fresh habanero pepper sauce, avocado, and hot hand-made corn tortillas. Pibil tacos are made with the pork, tomato, onion, and peppers.
The pig would have been marinated beforehand, and then left to roast in its own fluids and marinade in the ground for hours. The resultant meat is tender and flavorful, falling apart effortlessly. It's usually served with corn tortillas and pickled onions. This pig-roasted-in-a-pit is frequently part of a large event, such as a wedding or a family gathering.
Ingredients
- 5 lb pork shoulder, 4 tablespoons – salt, 1 tablespoon – whole allspice, 1/2 teaspoon – cinnamon, 4 tablespoons – achiote annatto, 1 Large onion, Banana leaves
Instructions
- With a fork, poke holes all over the meat. Set aside the pork after rubbing it with achiote paste.
- Combine the orange juice, lemon juice, and habanero peppers in a large mixing basin. Combine the cumin, paprika, chili powder, coriander, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl.
- Place the pork in the mixture, cover, and chill for at least two hours, turning two or three times.
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (165 degrees C).
- Aluminum foil or banana leaves soaked in water for 30 minutes can be used to wrap the pork and marinate. Cover and place in a casserole dish.
- Cook for 2 hours.
- Make the sauce by bring the red wine vinegar to a boil.
- Serve over white rice and corn tortillas after pouring the sauce over the meat. With the meat, rice, and sauce, each individual may prepare tacos or fajitas.
