Gather Your Ingredients
To make the perfect porchetta, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 boneless pork belly
- 1 boneless pork shoulder
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Olive oil for brushing
Prepare the Pork
1. Lay the pork belly skin-side down on a cutting board. Make incisions on the flesh to create pockets for the filling.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the minced garlic, fennel seeds, rosemary, sage, salt, pepper, and lemon zest.
3. Rub this mixture all over the pork belly and pork shoulder, ensuring it gets into the incisions.
Roll and Tie the Porchetta
1. Place the pork belly on a clean surface, then place the pork shoulder on top of it. Roll the meat tightly, making sure the skin is on the outside.
2. Use kitchen twine to tie the rolled porchetta at regular intervals. This will help keep its shape during the cooking process.
Roast the Porchetta
1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Place the porchetta on a roasting rack set inside a roasting pan.
3. Brush the skin with olive oil and sprinkle with additional salt and pepper for extra crispiness.
4. Roast the porchetta in the preheated oven for about 3 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
5. Increase the oven temperature to 500°F (260°C) and continue roasting for an additional 15 minutes or until the skin is golden and crispy.
Let It Rest and Serve
1. Remove the porchetta from the oven and let it rest for about 20 minutes before slicing.
2. Slice the porchetta into thick slices and serve it with your favorite sides or on crusty Italian bread for a delicious sandwich.
3. Enjoy the heavenly combination of tender meat and crispy, flavorful skin!
By following this step-by-step guide, you’ll be able to make a mouthwatering oven-roasted porchetta that will impress your family and friends. Don’t forget to pour yourself a glass of red wine and savor every bite of this Italian delicacy!