CiberCuba Cocina
Pork secreto over roasted pumpkin | Photo © CiberCuba Cocina

Pork secreto over roasted pumpkin

Cuisine, Main course

Kitchen, Main dish

Spices
The translation of "Pimienta" to English is "Pepper."
Vegetables
Pork
Preparation Time:
45
Note:
The secreto cut is a piece of meat that is becoming increasingly popular in professional kitchens and is gradually making its way into households. Cubans are renowned consumers of pork. This recipe is simple to prepare and will impress your guests with minimal resources. The secreto cut is located between the shoulder and the belly of the pig. It has a fan-like shape and typically weighs about 150-200 grams. It is said that the name "secreto" comes from the fact that this cut is hidden; it can only be seen if the muscle is cut horizontally. This cut is one of the richest and most flavorful. Some people avoid purchasing it because they perceive it as being overly fatty at first glance. However, the "secret" of the secreto lies in the cooking method. At Comida Cubana, we recommend cooking it on the grill or in a skillet, just like in our recipe, using minimal fat and cooking it slowly until it browns. I hope you enjoy the recipe and share this secret with others.
Ingredients:
  • 2 pieces of pork secreto (approximately 200 grams each)
  • Salt, pepper, cumin, and garlic powder, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons of oil
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 1 medium salad tomato

    • For the garnish

    • 250 grams of pumpkin
    • 1 onion
    • 3 cloves of garlic
    • 2 tablespoons of oil.
Instructions:

Season the pork secreto pieces with salt and pepper, and add cumin and garlic powder to taste. Let them rest in the refrigerator for an hour.

Start preparing the roasted pumpkin. We recommend checking out our recipe on CiberCuba Cocina; just click here. Once you put the pumpkin in the oven, begin cooking the Secreto.

Pork secreto in a pot over low heat / CiberCuba Cocina

In a pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the pieces of Secreto along with the whole garlic cloves. Also, include the tomato to add some juice and a touch of acidity to the dish.

Brown the meat on both sides, cover it while leaving a gap for steam to escape, and lower the heat intensity.

Roasted Pumpkins / CiberCuba Cuisine

When the roasted pumpkins are ready, cut them into cubes and divide them equally among each guest. Place them in the center of the plate, spreading them out, before adding the Pork Secret on top.

Check the doneness of the meat. It takes about 35 minutes to reach the ideal point, but this may vary depending on the specific case. Once it's to your liking, remove it from the pot and place it on a cutting board. Make crosswise cuts, ensuring they follow the grain of the meat. Avoid letting the pieces get disorganized so that the presentation remains elegant.

Pork Secret Cut / CiberCuba Kitchen

Place the piece of Secret Pork over the bed of roasted pumpkin. Add a touch of color to finish off the plating.

In my case, I added the resulting sauce left in the pot because it has a lot of flavor. However, if you prefer, the natural fat from the meat is sufficient. There's no need to add anything else.

Pork secreto over roasted pumpkin / CiberCuba Cooking

I hope you enjoy it. Bon appétit!

Rations:
2
Spices
The translation of "Pimienta" is "Pepper."
Vegetables
Pork