Pernil

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Pernil is a slow-roasted marinated pork leg or pork shoulder. In Latin American countries the dish is commonly shared during Christmas, typically accompanied by arroz con gandules.

The pork shoulder is used as a whole piece, with skin and bone. It is marinated the day prior to roasting with sofrito, salt and pepper, plus possibly additional spices (oregano and adobo). Sofrito is placed deeply within the meat through small cuts. After marination the covered meat is slowly roasted initially in the oven for several hours, and, in the final phase, at a higher temperature with the cover off to get the skin crisp. When finished, the meat falls off the bone, and the crisp skin (cuero) is separated, cleared of fat, and can be served separately as cueritos (skin chips). A typical pernil serves about 8 people.

Left over meat from a pernil can be used in a Cuban sandwich.