Lechon

Here is a recipe for Lechon, the famous national dish of the Philippines, which involves roasting a whole pig.

Ingredients:

4-5 kg of whole pork, cleaned and boned
1 head of garlic, minced
2 onions, chopped
2 tablespoons of salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
1 cup of soy sauce
1/2 cup coconut vinegar or white vinegar
1 cup lime or lemon juice
Banana leaves or aluminum foil to wrap the pork while cooking

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine the garlic, onions, salt, black pepper, brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, and lime or lemon juice.

Dip the pork into the marinade and rub the marinade well into the meat, making sure it is well covered. Cover with transparent film and leave to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

Preheat the oven to 200°C. Remove pork from marinade and discard remaining marinade.

Fill the pork cavity with bay leaves and onions. Wrap the pork in banana leaves or foil.

Place the pork on a rack or roasting pan and cook in a preheated oven for 4 to 5 hours, depending on the size of the pork, until the crust is crisp and the meat is tender and juicy.

Remove the pork from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before cutting into portions.

Lechon is often served with rice and sausages, and accompanying sauces, such as lechon sauce or soy sauce. Enjoy your meal!