Lechon Asado - Cuban Grilled Pork

adapted from Epicurious

Citrus Garlic Marinade

1 1/3 cups fresh squeezed lime juice

2/3 cup orange juice

1 1/2 tsp ground cumin

1 Tbsp dried oregano

1 heads garlic, roughly chopped

4 1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp black pepper

1 onion, slice and rings separated

Pork

3 to 4 pounds pork shoulder (preferably boneless), trimmed

Salt

Prepare the marinade by mixing all ingredients in a bowl. Allow to sit for 10 minutes.

Using a along thin knife to make deep gashes all over the flesh. Generously season the outside of the pork with salt. Place the pork in a large bowl and pour the marinade over the pork, spreading the onion rings over the top.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour or up to 24 hours. (We prepared the pork and marinated overnight.)

Basting Sauce

Remove the pork from the marinade and place it on a baking sheet, set aside. Transfer the marinade to a saucepan, add the onions and bring to a boil for about two minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Place the the cooled marinade and onions into a blender and puree until smooth. The puree is used as a basting sauce during grilling.

Grilling

When the pork has reached room temperature, you are ready to grill.

Heat the grill to 550° F. and close the lid. Wait at least 15 minutes before lowering the temperature to 300° F. Oil the grill grates with a vegetable oil-soaked paper towel. (Use tongs to hold the paper towel so you do not get burned.)

If your cut of pork has skin still attached, begin grilling with the skin side up, away from the direct heat.

Grill the pork about 2 1/2 hours total. Turn the meat over one quarter of the way through the cooking time and again at halfway, continue turning until the cooking time has lapsed. The pork is ready when the internal temperature reaches 150° F. on the grill. It will continue to cook when it is off the heat, raising the temperature to 160° F.

Using two forks, shred the pork or if prefered, cut into thin slices.