Lechona Tolimense Colombiana

whole pig

🥗Healthier: chicken

💰Cheaper: pork shoulder

Chicken is leaner and easier to find, while pork shoulder is more affordable.

pork fat

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: butter

Olive oil reduces saturated fat, while butter is often less expensive.

sour orange juice

🥗Healthier: lime juice

💰Cheaper: vinegar

Lime juice provides acidity with fewer calories, while vinegar is widely available.

Prepare the pork by cutting the leg and loin into thick pieces to prevent drying out during cooking.

Season the pork with salt, ensuring it is well distributed for flavor.

Marinate the pork for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to enhance flavor.

Soak the yellow peas in water for 12 hours, then cook and drain them.

Prepare the filling by sautéing green onions in water until soft, adding salt to taste.

Once the pork is marinated, start assembling the filling by layering cooked yellow peas, sautéed onions, and pieces of marinated pork.

Tie the filling securely in the pork skin, ensuring it is not too tight to allow for expansion during cooking.

Mix the juice of 4 lemons with coloring agent and salt to apply on the outside of the pork before cooking.

Wrap the pork in aluminum foil and bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 4 hours.

After 4 hours, remove the foil and bake for an additional 4 hours to crisp the skin.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: