Revision as of 18:56, 24 April 2024 editObsidian Soul (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users54,665 edits dead pig not informative← Previous edit | Revision as of 19:35, 24 April 2024 edit undoObsidian Soul (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users54,665 edits →Regional dishes: Filipino lechon does not use suckling pig, move to pig roast, move indonesian and chinese suckling pig here from pig roast, restructure sectionsNext edit → | ||
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'''''Lechón''''' (], {{IPA-es|leˈtʃon}}; from ''leche'' "milk" + -ón) or '''''leitão''''' (]; from ''leite'' "milk" + -ão) is a pork dish in several regions of the world, most specifically in ] (in particular ]), ] (in particular ]) and regions worldwide previously colonized by the ] or ]. ''Lechón/Leitão'' is a word referring to a ] baby pig (piglet) which was still fed by ] its mother's milk (a suckling pig). Lechón/Leitão is a popular item in the cuisine in ] (in the United States), Spain, Cuba, ], Honduras, Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, ], Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and other ] in Latin America, as well as in ], ], ], ] and other Portuguese-speaking nations.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Jonathan Deutsch|author2=Megan J. Elias|title=Barbecue: A Global History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n6sBBQAAQBAJ&pg=PP90|date=15 April 2014|publisher=Reaktion Books|isbn=978-1-78023-298-0|page=90}}</ref> It is also present as '''''cochon de lait''''' in the French-Swiss and ] cuisines (in particular in ]), in ] (in particular in ] as '''''su porcheddu''''') and ].<ref name="Langenfeld">{{cite web| last = Langenfeld | first = Annemarie | title = Spanferkel und Pizzen heiß begehrt | publisher = Der Westen | date = 20 September 2009 | url = https://www.derwesten.de/nachrichten/staedte/luedenscheid/2009/9/20/news-133863411/detail.html | access-date = 8 October 2009}}</ref> The dish features a whole roasted suckling ] cooked over ]. It has been described as a national dish of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Spain, Portugal, as well as the ] |
'''''Lechón''''' (], {{IPA-es|leˈtʃon}}; from ''leche'' "milk" + -ón), '''''cochinillo''''', or '''''leitão''''' (]; from ''leite'' "milk" + -ão) is a pork dish in several regions of the world, most specifically in ] (in particular ]), ] (in particular ]) and regions worldwide previously colonized by the ] or ]. ''Lechón/Leitão'' is a word referring to a ] baby pig (piglet) which was still fed by ] its mother's milk (a suckling pig). Lechón/Leitão is a popular item in the cuisine in ] (in the United States), Spain, Cuba, ], Honduras, Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, ], Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and other ] in Latin America, as well as in ], ], ], ] and other Portuguese-speaking nations.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Jonathan Deutsch|author2=Megan J. Elias|title=Barbecue: A Global History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n6sBBQAAQBAJ&pg=PP90|date=15 April 2014|publisher=Reaktion Books|isbn=978-1-78023-298-0|page=90}}</ref> It is also present as '''''cochon de lait''''' in the French-Swiss and ] cuisines (in particular in ]), in ] (in particular in ] as '''''su porcheddu''''') and ].<ref name="Langenfeld">{{cite web| last = Langenfeld | first = Annemarie | title = Spanferkel und Pizzen heiß begehrt | publisher = Der Westen | date = 20 September 2009 | url = https://www.derwesten.de/nachrichten/staedte/luedenscheid/2009/9/20/news-133863411/detail.html | access-date = 8 October 2009}}</ref> The dish features a whole roasted suckling ] cooked over ]. It has been described as a national dish of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Spain, Portugal, as well as the ]. However, the pig-roasting traditions of the Philippines (similar to other ] regions) have native pre-colonial origins. The meaning of "lechon" in Filipino has diverted from the original Spanish term<ref name="Palanca"/> to become a general term for "roasted pig", and is used in reference to adult roasted pigs rather than to suckling pigs, with ] being asserted by American chef ] as having the best pigs.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pork Art |author=Lara Day |url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1893324_1893292_1893289,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429150423/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1893324_1893292_1893289,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 29, 2009 |magazine=Time |date=23 April 2009 |access-date=8 April 2013 |quote=Anthony Bourdain — whose love of all things porcine is famous — visited the Philippine island of Cebu with his show No Reservations and declared that he had found the best pig ever}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Maclay |first=Elise |date=1 October 2014 |title=Restaurant Review: Zafra Cuban Restaurant & Rum Bar |url=https://www.connecticutmag.com/food-drink/restaurant-review-zafra-cuban-restaurant-rum-bar/article_73c5a74e-feae-567d-b992-c89a209af233.html |magazine=Connecticut Magazine |location=New Haven, Connecticut, United States |access-date=26 December 2019 |quote=When it comes to "authentic" dishes like lechón asado (which Spain, Puerto Rico, The Philippines and Cuba all claim as their "national dish"), ingredients, recipes and methodology differ contentiously enough to start a war. }}</ref> | ||
In most of these regions, lechón/leitão is prepared throughout the year for special occasions, during festivals. It is the centerpiece of the tradition Cuban ] ''La Noche Buena''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/22/dining/in-miami-christmas-eve-means-roast-pig.html |title=In Miami, Christmas Eve Means Roast Pig |work=The New York Times|date=22 December 1999 |last1=Raichlen |first1=Steven }}</ref> After seasoning, the piglet is cooked by skewering the entire animal, entrails removed, on a large stick and cooking it in a pit filled with charcoal. The piglet is placed over the charcoal, and the stick or rod it is attached to is turned in a ] action. | In most of these regions, lechón/leitão is prepared throughout the year for special occasions, during festivals. It is the centerpiece of the tradition Cuban ] ''La Noche Buena''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/22/dining/in-miami-christmas-eve-means-roast-pig.html |title=In Miami, Christmas Eve Means Roast Pig |work=The New York Times|date=22 December 1999 |last1=Raichlen |first1=Steven }}</ref> After seasoning, the piglet is cooked by skewering the entire animal, entrails removed, on a large stick and cooking it in a pit filled with charcoal. The piglet is placed over the charcoal, and the stick or rod it is attached to is turned in a ] action. | ||
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====Colombia==== | ====Colombia==== | ||
{{see also|Colombian cuisine}} | {{see also|Colombian cuisine}} | ||
'''Lechona''', also known as ''lechón asado'', is a popular ]n ].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.colombia.com/gastronomia/asi-sabe-colombia/plato-fuerte/sdi140/15648/lechona|title=Lechona|work=Colombia.com|access-date=2017-07-08}}</ref> | '''''Lechona''''', also known as ''lechón asado'', is a popular ]n ].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.colombia.com/gastronomia/asi-sabe-colombia/plato-fuerte/sdi140/15648/lechona|title=Lechona|work=Colombia.com|access-date=2017-07-08}}</ref> It is similar in style to many preparations made in other ] countries, consisting of a roasted ] stuffed with ], ], yellow ] and spices, cooked in an outdoor brick ] for several hours. It is mostly traditional to the ] in central Colombia and is usually accompanied by ]s, a corn-based dough. | ||
===Southeast Asia=== | |||
It is similar in style to many preparations made in other ] countries, consisting of a roasted ] stuffed with ], ], yellow ] and spices, cooked in an outdoor brick ] for several hours. | |||
It is mostly traditional to the ] in central Colombia and is usually accompanied by ]s, a corn-based dough. | |||
====Philippines==== | ====Philippines==== | ||
{{Main|Pig roast#Philippines}} | |||
{{See also|Inihaw|}} | |||
⚫ | ], ]]] | ||
{{Distinguish|Lechon manok|Lechon kawali|Lechon paksiw}} | |||
Though the Philippines also has a dish that acquired the Spanish name "lechón" (spelled ''lechon'' without the ], but also ''litson'' or ''lichon''), it differs from the Spanish lechón in that it uses adult pigs, uses different ingredients, is cooked differently, and is pre-colonial in origin (natively known as ''inasal'' or ''] '').<ref name="Palanca">{{cite web |last1=Palanca |first1=Clinton |title=This is the Philippines' love story with pork |url=https://waytogo.cebupacificair.com/pork-love-story/ |website=Smile Magazine |publisher=Cebu Pacific |access-date=1 October 2019}}</ref> Variants of lechón that use suckling pigs based on the original Spanish lechón are differentiated as ''lechon de leche'' (which in Spanish would be a linguistic redundancy) or ''cochinillo''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lechon de Leche (Roasted Piglet) |url=https://www.panlasangpinoymeatrecipes.com/lechon-de-leche-roasted-pig-recipe.htm |website=Panlasang Pinoy Meaty Recipes |access-date=3 June 2022}}</ref> | |||
], ]]] | |||
The native name of lechón is '''''] ''''' in ], a general term meaning "charcoal-roasted/barbecued ".<ref>{{cite web |title=LITSÓN |url=https://www.tagaloglang.com/food/meat-dishes/ |website=Tagalog Lang |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref> Native names were also preserved in other regions until recently, like in ] where it was previously more commonly known as '']'' until Tagalog influence changed it to ''lechon'' in the 2000s.<ref name="Eslao-Alix">{{cite news |last1=Eslao-Alix |first1=Louella |title=From Pugapo to Lapu-lapu |url=https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/255075/from-pugapo-to-lapu-lapu |access-date=11 February 2021 |work=Cebu Daily News |date=1 September 2019}}</ref> As the usage of the Spanish ] evolved over the years in the ], "lechon" has come to refer to roasted pig in general (including suckling pigs).<ref name=Alejandro/> Roasted suckling pigs are now referred to in the Philippines as "lechon de leche" (which in Spanish would be a linguistic redundancy, though corresponding to the term cochinillo in Spain).<ref>{{cite web |title=Lechon de Leche (Roasted Piglet) |url=https://www.panlasangpinoymeatrecipes.com/lechon-de-leche-roasted-pig-recipe.htm |website=Panlasang Pinoy Meaty Recipes |access-date=3 June 2022}}</ref> | |||
====Indonesia==== | |||
It is considered one of the unofficial national dishes of the Philippines.<ref name=PInd>{{cite news |title=Palmonas: Make 'buko' juice as national drink |author=Vicky B. Bartlet |url=http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/science/20802-palmones-make-buko-juice-as-national-drink |newspaper=Business Mirror |date=17 December 2011 |access-date=26 January 2012 |quote=In his House Resolution 1887, Agham (Science) Party-list Rep. Angelo Palmones said the Philippines has already a number of national symbols, such as narra as national tree, sampaguita as national flower, mango as national fruit, milkfish as national fish and lechon (roast pig) as national dish. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110025953/http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/science/20802-palmones-make-buko-juice-as-national-drink |archive-date=10 January 2012 }}<br/>{{cite book|last=Minahan|first=James B.|title=The Complete Guide to National Symbols and Emblems [2 volumes]|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jfrWCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA152|date=23 December 2009|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-34497-8|page=152}}<br/>{{cite book|last=Geis|first=Darlene|title=A Colorslide Tour of the Philippines: Island Democracy : Bright Garden of the Pacific|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UFtOgcYuetcC|year=1961|publisher=Columbia Record Club|page=11}}<br/>{{cite news |last=Chan |first=Bernice |date=31 August 2017 |title=The secrets to great lechon - whole roasted suckling pig that's virtually a Filipino national dish |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/2108935/secrets-great-lechon-whole-roasted-suckling-pig-thats-virtually |work=South China Morning Post |location=Hong Kong |access-date=14 December 2019 }}<br/>{{cite news |last=Winn |first=Patrick |date=20 December 2012 |title=Philippines: New Year's Eve Lechon |url=https://www.pri.org/stories/2012-12-20/philippines-new-years-eve-lechon |work=Public Radio International |location=Minneapolis |access-date=14 December 2019 }}<br/>{{cite news |last=Goodman |first=Vivian |date=26 December 2014 |title=Filipino community enjoys a taste of home in Akron |url=http://www.wksu.org/news/feature/quickbites/41412 |work=WKSU |location=Kent State University |access-date=14 December 2019 }}<br/>{{cite news |last=Gardiner |first=Michael A. |date=11 December 2017 |title=Pork fat rules at Porky's Lechon |url=http://sdcitybeat.com/food-drink/the-world-fare/pork-fat-rules-at-porky%E2%80%99s-lechon/ |work=San Diego City Beat |location=United States |access-date=14 December 2019 }}</ref> There are two major methods of preparing lechon in the Philippines, the "] lechon" (or "] lechon"), and the "] lechon" (or "] lechon").<ref name="Faicol"/><ref name="Manahan">{{cite news |last1=Manahan |first1=Millie |title=Manila or Cebu Lechon: A Staple Filipino Food for all Occasions |url=https://www.wheninmanila.com/manila-or-cebu-lechon-a-staple-filipino-food-for-all-occasions/ |access-date=25 January 2019 |work=When In Manila |date=13 July 2017}}</ref> | |||
] ''Babi guling'']] | |||
In ], roast pig (using both adult or suckling pig) is called ''babi guling'', ''babi putar'', ''babi panggang'' or ''babi bakar''; it is predominantly found in non-Muslim majority regions, such as Hindu ] and Christian ] lands in ], the ] people of ], ] in ], ], and also among ]s. In Bali, ''babi guling'' is usually served with ] and ]; it is a popular dish in Balinese restaurants and ]s.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.baliblog.com/travel-tips/bali-travel/balinese-culture/bali-guling-balinese-suckling-pig.html |title=Babi guling Bali |access-date=2011-07-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910085713/http://www.baliblog.com/travel-tips/bali-travel/balinese-culture/bali-guling-balinese-suckling-pig.html |archive-date=2016-09-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the Batak people's tradition, ''babi guling'' is a prerequisite in wedding offerings by the bride's family. In Papua, pigs and yams are roasted in heated stones placed in a hole dug in the ground and covered with leaves; this cooking method is called ''bakar batu'' (burning the stone), and it is an important cultural and social event among Papuan people. | |||
===East Asia=== | |||
⚫ | ], Philippines]] | ||
====China==== | |||
Visayan lechon is prepared stuffed with herbs which usually include ]s, ], black peppercorn, garlic, salt, and distinctively ''tanglad'' (]) or leaves from native '']'' trees or ] trees, among other spices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=sparksph |date=2021-10-02 |title=Cebu Lechon: The best in the country |url=https://suroy.ph/cebu-lechon/ |access-date=2022-08-10 |website=Suroy.ph |language=en-US}}</ref> A variant among ] also stuffs the pig with the sour fruits of ''batuan'' or ''binukaw'' ('']''). It is usually cooked over charcoal made from coconut husks. Since it is already flavored with spices, it is served with minimal dipping sauces, like salt and vinegar or ] (soy sauce, ], and ]).<ref name="nweah">{{cite web |title=Nothing quite like Negros Lechon – Bacolod |url=https://sariecruz.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/nothing-quite-like-negros-lechon-bacolod/ |website=Now We Are Hungry |date=20 October 2011 |access-date=3 February 2019}}</ref><ref name="Faicol">{{cite news |last1=Faicol |first1=Bea |title=What's the Difference Between Luzon Lechon and Visayas Lechon? |url=https://www.spot.ph/eatdrink/the-latest-eat-drink/75887/lechon-difference-between-luzon-lechon-from-visayan-lechon-lf-a1915-20181130-src-yummy-lfrm |access-date=25 January 2019 |work=Eat + Drink |agency=Spot.ph}}</ref><ref name="Manahan"/><ref name="Chan">{{cite web |last1=Chan |first1=Bernice |title=The secrets to great lechon - whole roasted suckling pig that's virtually a Filipino national dish |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/2108935/secrets-great-lechon-whole-roasted-suckling-pig-thats-virtually |website=South China Morning Post |date=31 August 2017 |access-date=25 January 2019}}</ref> | |||
In various Chinese communities (especially in Southern China), a roast ] is purchased for special family occasions, business launches, or as a ritualistic spiritual offering. For example, one tradition is to offer one or several whole roast suckling pigs to the ] to celebrate a Chinese film's opening. The pig is sacrificed to ward off evils and in prayer for the film's success. One garnish used to make the dish look more appealing is a circular slice of pineapple and cherry, and is often placed in a red box for luck. | |||
⚫ | Suckling pig dishes in parts of Southeast Asia, like ] and ], are also influenced by ethnic Chinese cuisine. Roast suckling pig is eaten in Chinese or Vietnamese restaurants for important parties.<ref name="eastweek"> | ||
Luzon lechon on the other hand, is typically not stuffed with herbs. When it is, it is usually just salt and pepper. Instead, the distinctiveness of Manila lechon comes from the liver-based sauce, known as the "lechon sauce". Lechon sauce is made from vinegar, brown sugar, salt, pepper, mashed liver (or ]), breadcrumbs, garlic and onion.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lechon Sauce |url=https://www.kawalingpinoy.com/lechon-sauce/ |website=Kawaling Pinoy |date=22 October 2014 |access-date=25 January 2019}}</ref> Manila lechon is also typically cooked over woodfire.<ref name="Faicol"/> | |||
Most lechon can either be cooked based on the two main versions, or mix techniques from both. Both variants also rub salt or spices unto the skin to make it crispier, as well as continually baste the lechon as it cooks. Sometimes ]s may also be used. They are cooked on a bamboo spit over charcoal for a few hours with constant (traditionally manual) turning. The pig is roasted on all sides for several hours until done. The process of cooking and basting usually results in making the pork skin crisp and is a distinctive feature of the dish.<ref name=Alejandro>{{cite book|author=Reynaldo G. Alejandro|title=Food of the Philippines|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7eZkCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA10|date=8 December 2015|publisher=Tuttle Publishing|isbn=978-1-4629-0545-4|page=10}}<br/>{{cite book|title=Customs and Culture of the Philippines|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KqDTAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT112|date=15 June 1963|publisher=Tuttle Publishing|isbn=978-1-4629-1302-2|pages=112–113}}</ref> | |||
Leftover parts from the lechon, such as the head and feet, are usually cooked into another popular dish, '']''. Like lechon itself, ''lechon paksiw'' also differs based on whether it is prepared Luzon-style or Visayas-style, with the former using liver sauce as an essential ingredient, while the latter does not.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Lechon In Our Culture |url=https://www.streetdirectory.com/etoday/the-lechon-in-our-culture-ueceej.html |website=EditorialToday A Guide to Business}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lechon Paksiw (Bisaya Style) |url=http://www.chedzcakes.com/blog/lechon-paksiw-bisaya-style-chedz-culinary-club |website=Chedz Culinary Club |access-date=25 January 2019}}</ref> In some cases, these parts or stale lechon can be repurposed into another dish, such as ].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Tiu |first=Cheryl |date=28 February 2015 |title=The Lechon Degustation: A Tribute to the Philippine Suckling Pig |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/cheryltiu/2015/02/28/the-lechon-degustation-a-tribute-to-the-philippine-suckling-pig/#6c27f98320b6 |magazine=Forbes |access-date=19 February 2020 }}<br/>{{cite news |last=Uy |first=Amy A. |title=Easy holiday leftover makeovers |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/food/288400/easy-holiday-leftover-makeovers/story/ |work=GMA News |location=Philippines |date=1 January 2013 |access-date=19 February 2020 }}</ref> | |||
===Remainder of Asia (other than the Philippines)=== | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
{{cite web | {{cite web | ||
|url=http://dev.eastweek.com.hk/index.php?aid=22284 | |url=http://dev.eastweek.com.hk/index.php?aid=22284 | ||
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}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
<gallery> | |||
⚫ | === |
||
⚫ | File:Shaoruzhu.jpg|Cantonese style roasted whole suckling pig | ||
File:Roast Suckling Pig (2505471024).jpg|Roast suckling pig bearing 囍 (]) placard at a Cantonese wedding | |||
</gallery> | |||
⚫ | ===Northern Europe=== | ||
The ]s of Austria, Croatia, Georgia, Germany, Macedonia, the Netherlands, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, ] and Sweden<ref name="Langenfeld"/><ref>{{cite web| last = Dadiani | first = Niko | title = Gochi (Roast Suckling Pig) | publisher = About Georgia | url = http://www.aboutgeorgia.net/cuisine/meats.html?page=8 | access-date = 8 October 2009}}</ref> favor the dish highly as well. It accompanies ] as the traditional Christmas feast of families in Russia and Serbia, while the ] maintains a tradition of presenting a roast piglet (or several) to the crew of a ship returning from deployment. | The ]s of Austria, Croatia, Georgia, Germany, Macedonia, the Netherlands, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, ] and Sweden<ref name="Langenfeld"/><ref>{{cite web| last = Dadiani | first = Niko | title = Gochi (Roast Suckling Pig) | publisher = About Georgia | url = http://www.aboutgeorgia.net/cuisine/meats.html?page=8 | access-date = 8 October 2009}}</ref> favor the dish highly as well. It accompanies ] as the traditional Christmas feast of families in Russia and Serbia, while the ] maintains a tradition of presenting a roast piglet (or several) to the crew of a ship returning from deployment. | ||
Revision as of 19:35, 24 April 2024
Piglet fed on its mother's milk
A suckling pig is a piglet fed on its mother's milk (i.e., a piglet which is still a "suckling"). In culinary contexts, a suckling pig is slaughtered between the ages of two and six weeks. It is traditionally cooked whole, often roasted, in various cuisines. It is usually prepared for special occasions and gatherings. The most popular preparation can be found in Spain and Portugal under the name lechón (Spanish) or leitão (Portuguese).
The meat from suckling pig is pale and tender and the cooked skin is crisp and can be used for pork rinds. The texture of the meat can be somewhat gelatinous due to the amount of collagen in a young pig.
History
There are many ancient recipes for suckling pig from Roman and Chinese cuisine. Since the pig is one of the first animals domesticated by human beings for slaughter, many references to pigs are found in human culture. The suckling pig, specifically, appears in early texts such as the sixth-century Salic law. As an example of a law governing the punishment for theft, Title 2, article 1, is, in Latin, Si quis porcellum lactantem furaverit, et ei fuerit adprobatum (malb. chrane calcium hoc est) CXX dinarios qui faciunt solidos III culpabilis iudicetur. "If someone has stolen a suckling pig and this is proven against him, the guilty party will be sentenced to 120 denarii which adds up to three solidi (Latin coins)." The words chrane calcium are written in Frankish; calcium (or galza in other manuscripts) is the gloss for "suckling pig"; porcellum lactantem. These glosses in Frankish, the so-called Malbergse Glossen, are considered the earliest attested words in Old Dutch.
Regional dishes
There are various preparations for suckling pig in Western and Asian cuisines.
Latin countries
Not to be confused with Lechazo. For other uses, see Lechón (disambiguation) and Leitão (disambiguation).Lechón (Spanish, Spanish pronunciation: [leˈtʃon]; from leche "milk" + -ón), cochinillo, or leitão (Portuguese; from leite "milk" + -ão) is a pork dish in several regions of the world, most specifically in Spain (in particular Segovia), Portugal (in particular Bairrada) and regions worldwide previously colonized by the Portuguese Empire or Spanish Empire. Lechón/Leitão is a word referring to a roasted baby pig (piglet) which was still fed by suckling its mother's milk (a suckling pig). Lechón/Leitão is a popular item in the cuisine in Los Angeles (in the United States), Spain, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and other Spanish-speaking nations in Latin America, as well as in Portugal, Cape Verde, Angola, Mozambique and other Portuguese-speaking nations. It is also present as cochon de lait in the French-Swiss and French cuisines (in particular in Metz), in Italy (in particular in Sardinian cuisine as su porcheddu) and Romania. The dish features a whole roasted suckling pig cooked over charcoal. It has been described as a national dish of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Spain, Portugal, as well as the Philippines. However, the pig-roasting traditions of the Philippines (similar to other Austronesian regions) have native pre-colonial origins. The meaning of "lechon" in Filipino has diverted from the original Spanish term to become a general term for "roasted pig", and is used in reference to adult roasted pigs rather than to suckling pigs, with Cebu being asserted by American chef Anthony Bourdain as having the best pigs.
In most of these regions, lechón/leitão is prepared throughout the year for special occasions, during festivals. It is the centerpiece of the tradition Cuban Christmas feast La Noche Buena. After seasoning, the piglet is cooked by skewering the entire animal, entrails removed, on a large stick and cooking it in a pit filled with charcoal. The piglet is placed over the charcoal, and the stick or rod it is attached to is turned in a rotisserie action.
Puerto Rico
See also: Puerto Rican cuisineThe dish has been described as a national dish of Puerto Rico. The name of the dish in Puerto Rico is lechón asado. It is a traditional dish served at festivals and holidays.
Colombia
See also: Colombian cuisineLechona, also known as lechón asado, is a popular Colombian dish. It is similar in style to many preparations made in other South American countries, consisting of a roasted pig stuffed with yellow peas, green onion, yellow rice and spices, cooked in an outdoor brick oven for several hours. It is mostly traditional to the Tolima Department in central Colombia and is usually accompanied by arepas, a corn-based dough.
Southeast Asia
Philippines
Main article: Pig roast § PhilippinesThough the Philippines also has a dish that acquired the Spanish name "lechón" (spelled lechon without the diacritic, but also litson or lichon), it differs from the Spanish lechón in that it uses adult pigs, uses different ingredients, is cooked differently, and is pre-colonial in origin (natively known as inasal or inihaw ). Variants of lechón that use suckling pigs based on the original Spanish lechón are differentiated as lechon de leche (which in Spanish would be a linguistic redundancy) or cochinillo.
Indonesia
In Indonesia, roast pig (using both adult or suckling pig) is called babi guling, babi putar, babi panggang or babi bakar; it is predominantly found in non-Muslim majority regions, such as Hindu Bali and Christian Batak lands in North Sumatra, the Minahasa people of North Sulawesi, Toraja in South Sulawesi, Papua, and also among Chinese Indonesians. In Bali, babi guling is usually served with lawar and steamed rice; it is a popular dish in Balinese restaurants and warungs. In the Batak people's tradition, babi guling is a prerequisite in wedding offerings by the bride's family. In Papua, pigs and yams are roasted in heated stones placed in a hole dug in the ground and covered with leaves; this cooking method is called bakar batu (burning the stone), and it is an important cultural and social event among Papuan people.
East Asia
China
In various Chinese communities (especially in Southern China), a roast suckling pig is purchased for special family occasions, business launches, or as a ritualistic spiritual offering. For example, one tradition is to offer one or several whole roast suckling pigs to the Jade Emperor to celebrate a Chinese film's opening. The pig is sacrificed to ward off evils and in prayer for the film's success. One garnish used to make the dish look more appealing is a circular slice of pineapple and cherry, and is often placed in a red box for luck.
Suckling pig dishes in parts of Southeast Asia, like Singapore and Vietnam, are also influenced by ethnic Chinese cuisine. Roast suckling pig is eaten in Chinese or Vietnamese restaurants for important parties. It is also a popular dish at wedding dinners or a party for a baby's completion of its first month of life.
- Cantonese style roasted whole suckling pig
- Roast suckling pig bearing 囍 (Double Happiness) placard at a Cantonese wedding
Northern Europe
The European cuisines of Austria, Croatia, Georgia, Germany, Macedonia, the Netherlands, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Switzerland and Sweden favor the dish highly as well. It accompanies goose as the traditional Christmas feast of families in Russia and Serbia, while the Russian Navy maintains a tradition of presenting a roast piglet (or several) to the crew of a ship returning from deployment.
Suckling pig is known in German, Austrian and German-Swiss cuisines as Spanferkel and in the Dutch cuisine as speenvarken. It can be roasted in the oven or grilled, and is often served at festive occasions such as Oktoberfest.
In Sweden suckling pig is called spädgris, it is usually cooked in the oven, or sometimes roasted directly over the fire. It is often stuffed with various fruits such as apples and plums, together with butter and breadcrumbs.
- Odojak na ražnju, Croatian cuisine
- Spanferkel, German cuisine
United States
The suckling pig is used in Cajun cuisine in the southern U.S., where the Cochon de Lait Festival is held annually in the small town of Mansura, Louisiana. During this festival, as its name implies, suckling pigs are roasted. Other uses for the suckling pig in the U.S. include slow roasting in an oven or (as in a Hawaiian-style pig roast) in a pit. The latter remains popular in the cuisine of the Southern United States.
See also
- Asado
- Eisbein
- Fetal pig – Unborn pigs utilized in biology classes
- Roasted pig
- Kalua
- List of barbecue dishes
- List of spit-roasted foods
- Lechon kawali
- Lechon manok
- Inihaw
- Pavochon
- Pig pickin'
- Siu yuk
Footnotes
- Other dishes, have also been described as a national dish of Puerto Rico, such as the following dishes: asopao, arroz con gandules.
References
- Gorlé, Frits; John Gilissen (1989). Historische inleiding tot het recht, Volume 1. Kluwer. p. 166. ISBN 978-90-6321-654-2.
- Ruth Schmidt-Wiegand, "Die Malbergischen Glossen, eine frühe Überlieferung germanischer Rechtsprache," in Beck, Heinrich (1989). Germanische Rest- und Trümmersprachen; Volume 3 of Ergänzungsbände zum Reallexikon der germanischen Altertumskunde. Walter de Gruyter. ISBN 978-3-11-011948-0.
- Jonathan Deutsch; Megan J. Elias (15 April 2014). Barbecue: A Global History. Reaktion Books. p. 90. ISBN 978-1-78023-298-0.
- ^ Langenfeld, Annemarie (20 September 2009). "Spanferkel und Pizzen heiß begehrt". Der Westen. Retrieved 8 October 2009.
- ^ Palanca, Clinton. "This is the Philippines' love story with pork". Smile Magazine. Cebu Pacific. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
- Lara Day (23 April 2009). "Pork Art". Time. Archived from the original on 29 April 2009. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
Anthony Bourdain — whose love of all things porcine is famous — visited the Philippine island of Cebu with his show No Reservations and declared that he had found the best pig ever
- Maclay, Elise (1 October 2014). "Restaurant Review: Zafra Cuban Restaurant & Rum Bar". Connecticut Magazine. New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
When it comes to "authentic" dishes like lechón asado (which Spain, Puerto Rico, The Philippines and Cuba all claim as their "national dish"), ingredients, recipes and methodology differ contentiously enough to start a war.
- Raichlen, Steven (22 December 1999). "In Miami, Christmas Eve Means Roast Pig". The New York Times.
- Squires, Kathleen (5 December 2014). "Where to Find the Best Roast Pork in Puerto Rico". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
Ritschel, Chelsea (11 December 2019). "What Christmas Dinner Looks Like Around The World". Independent. United Kingdom. Retrieved 26 December 2019. - Himilce Novas (2007). Everything You Need to Know about Latino History. Plume. p. 164. ISBN 978-0-452-28889-8.
- Papadopoulos, Lena (16 March 2019). "From Mofongos to Maltas, Here's Everything You Should Eat and Drink in Puerto Rico". Fodors. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
- Gillan, Audrey (4 October 2018). "Around the Caribbean in 11 dishes". National Geographic. United Kingdom. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
"The 21 Best Trips For Foodies Around The World". Business Insider. India. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
"A 'Casual' Dinner in Puerto Rico". The New York Times. 5 July 1978. Retrieved 26 December 2019. - Don Philpott (28 February 2003). Landmark Puerto Rico. Landmark Publishing Limited. p. 28. ISBN 978-1-901522-34-1.
- "Lechona". Colombia.com. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
- "Lechon de Leche (Roasted Piglet)". Panlasang Pinoy Meaty Recipes. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- "Babi guling Bali". Archived from the original on 10 September 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
- "飲宴6招 色食肥 (Chinese)". eastweek. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
- "久享盛名的四更烤乳豬 (Chinese)". travel.sina.com.hk. 9 September 2009. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
- "Siu Mei Kung Fu". rthk.hk. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
- Dadiani, Niko. "Gochi (Roast Suckling Pig)". About Georgia. Retrieved 8 October 2009.
- Scheibler, Sophie Wilhelmine (1866). Allgemeines deutsches kochbuch für alle stände, oder gründliche anweisung alle arten speisen und backwerke auf die wohlfeilste und schmackhafteste art zuzubereiten: Ein unentbehrliches handbuch für angehende hausmütter, haushälterinnen und köchinnen. C.F. Amelang. pp. 157–58.
- Dittrich, Michael (7 October 2009). "Oktoberfest mit Spanferkel". Stimberg Zeitung (in German). Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2009.
- Östman, Elisabeth (1911). Iduns kokbok. Isaac Marcus Boktryckeriaktiebolag. pp. 286–287.
- "Cochon De Lait Festival in Mansura, Louisiana".
- Tiempo, Casa Editorial El (3 March 2015). "Lechona, ajiaco, fritanga... 'Top' de platos criollos con más calorías". El Tiempo (in Spanish). Retrieved 8 July 2017.
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