Porchetta – Italian Pork Loin Wrapped Inside of Pork Belly

Instructions

1. Put belly skin side down and arrange loin in center. Roll belly around loin so the short ends of the belly meet. If any of the belly or loin overhangs, trim meat. Unroll; set loin aside.
2. In a small skillet over medium heat, toast fennel seeds and red pepper flakes until fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer to a small bowl; set aside and let cool. Once cooled, grind spices fennel seeds and pepper flakes in a spice mill or with a mortar and pestle. Transfer back to small bowl and add fennel pollen, rosemary, and garlic; set fennel mixture aside.
3. Assemble porchetta according to steps 1-5 below.
4. Refrigerate roast, uncovered, for 1-2 days to allow skin to dry; pat occasionally with paper towels. This will help create a nice crispy porchetta!
5. After 1-2 days, remove from refrigerator and let porchetta sit at room temperature for 2 hours.
6. Preheat oven to 500°.
7. Season porchetta with salt. Roast on rack in baking sheet, turning once, for 40 minutes. Reduce heat to 300° and continue roasting, rotating the pan and turning porchetta occasionally, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into center of meat registers 145°, 1 1/2-2 hours more. If skin is not yet deep brown and crisp, increase heat to 500° and roast for 10 minutes more. Let rest for 30 minutes. Using a serrated knife, slice into 1/2″ rounds.

Assembling:

1. Set belly skin side down. Using a knife, score the belly flesh in a checkerboard pattern 1/3″ deep so roast will cook evenly.
2. Flip belly skin side up. Using a paring knife, poke dozens of 1/8″-deep holes through skin all over belly.
3. Using the jagged edge of a meat mallet, pound skin all over for 3 minutes to tenderize (this helps make the skin crispy when roasted!).
4. Turn belly and generously salt both it and the loin; rub both with fennel mixture. Arrange loin down middle of belly and top with orange slices.
5. Roll belly around the loin; tie crosswise with kitchen twine at 1/2″ intervals. Trim twine. Transfer roast to a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet.