Roasting a Pig this Noche Buena? Safety Tips from the Farm to the Fire
For many in Miami, Noche Buena – also known as Christmas Eve – is a big celebration, rich with family traditions. Among the most popular: roasting a pig in a Caja China, an above-the-ground wooden box.
From buying the pig to bringing it home to cooking it, making lechón – a traditional Cuban dish of roasted pig marinated in mojo – can be quite a process.
Here are some pointers on how to ensure your Noche Buena pig roast is as safe as possible every step of the way:
For starters, if you’re picking up your pig at a farm, make sure you’re wearing sunscreen and a hat in case you have to wait in a line. Sure, it’s officially winter, pero this is Miami. Even in December, we sometimes say, “qué calor,” or it’s so hot! Don’t be surprised if you even see some people dodging the sun under their paragua, or umbrella.
When you get your pig, make sure it’s packaged properly and sealed to avoid leaking in the car, and place it inside a cooler or container with ice packs. A spacious vehicle like an SUV or pickup truck is best to transport the pig, because tying it to the roof will lead to rubber-neckers, a traffic hazard, and possibly an “Only in Dade” Instagram post.
Once you get home, marinate the pig for at least 12 hours. Be sure to read how to safely store the marinating pig to prevent it from spoiling.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before, during, and after preparing food and before eating. Thoroughly clean the food prep area thoroughly with a disinfectant designed for kitchen surfaces.
Next, vamos a cocinar. Let’s cook!
Read the instructions carefully on the roasting box and follow all safety precautions for handling and cooking the pig. Find the right, well-ventilated location outdoors to place the Caja China. Wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands from being burnt, and wash them frequently during the process to avoid the spread of germs.
Because a bed of hot charcoal is placed on top of the pig during the cooking process, use long metal tongs to manage the coals (plastic tongs may melt, so avoid those). It’s also a good idea to have a fire extinguisher nearby just in case.
About halfway through the cooking, the pig will need to be flipped to ensure even roasting and crispy skin, a fan-favorite called chicharrón that people are known to fight over. Whatever you do, don’t mess up the chicharrón.
Ideally, this maneuvering of the pig is not a one-person job. Having a second set of hands minimizes the risk of accidents and burns.
Though cooking times vary based on the size of the pig, expect to spend at least four to six hours tending to it as it cooks.
Most importantly, make this all-day affair fun. Set up a domino table nearby, grab a cold drink, share stories of lechóns past. Relájate, relax, and enjoy the company.
Cooking a lechón is a family-friendly social activity, one that brings people together through tradition, teamwork, and a delicious meal. Just remember, after all the time and hard work you dedicated to making the pork, make sure to grab that last piece of chicharrón.
We hope your holidays are filled with joy and free of accidents and illness. But if you need us, we’re here. With six locations throughout Miami-Dade County, UHealth Jackson Urgent Care is open 365 days a year, even on holidays.