Pernil facts for kids
Pernil ready to be served, with crisp skin chips (cueritos)
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| Alternative names | Pernil asado |
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| Associated national cuisine | Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic,Cuba. |
| Main ingredients | Pork leg or arm shoulder |
| Ingredients generally used | Sofrito, salt, and pepper plus possibly additional spices (oregano, and adobo) |
Pernil is a tasty dish made from slow-roasted pork. It's usually a big piece of pork leg or shoulder. People in Latin American countries often share pernil during Christmas celebrations. It's a popular holiday meal!
Pernil is often served with arroz con gandules, which is rice mixed with pigeon peas. This makes a delicious and filling meal for families and friends.
What is Pernil?
Pernil is made from a whole pork shoulder. It includes the skin and the bone. Before cooking, the pork is marinated. This means it soaks in a special mix of flavors.
The marinade usually includes sofrito, salt, and pepper. Sometimes, extra spices like oregano and adobo are added. Sofrito is a mix of herbs and vegetables.
How Pernil is Made
To make pernil, small cuts are made in the pork. This helps the flavorful sofrito get deep into the meat. The pork then marinates, often overnight. This makes the meat very tender and full of flavor.
After marinating, the pork is roasted slowly in an oven for many hours. It's usually covered at first. Towards the end, the cover is removed. The oven temperature is also raised. This helps the pork skin get super crispy.
When pernil is ready, the meat is so tender it falls right off the bone. The crispy skin, called cuero, is often separated. It can be served as crunchy cueritos, which are like pork skin chips.
Using Leftovers
If there's any pernil left over, it can be used in other dishes. One popular way is to use it in a Cuban sandwich. This makes for another delicious meal!
