Pork in the Pumpkin
Print Recipe

Kathryn’s Pork in the Pumpkin or Pig in the Pumpkin

Ingredients

  • 3 to 4 lbs. Pork Butt or shoulder boneless, cut pork into 1 ½ inch pieces
  • 1 Tbsp Kosher salt
  • ½ to ¾ tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • 1 Tbsp Freshly Ground Pepper
  • 1 Tbsp Fresh Thyme
  • 1 Tbsp Lemon Pepper
  • 1 Tbsp fresh rosemary chopped
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds crushed
  • 1 ¼ cup shallots thinly sliced-divided
  • 3 to 4 Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups apple cider
  • ½ cup white wine
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 volleyball-sized pumpkin (Type to make Pumpkin Pies)

Instructions

  • Pre Heat oven to 350° F
  • To prepare the Pumpkin, insert the tip of a knife at a 45-degree angle into the top half of the pumpkin. Slowly cut all the way around to remove the 'lid'. Scrape seeds and fibers off the bottom of the lid and inside of the pumpkin using a large spoon or ice cream scoop.
  • Cut pork into large chunks. Place in a bowl. Add salt, pepper, cayenne, thyme, fennel seeds, rosemary, Lemon and Pepper and shallots. Mix thoroughly then Add Flour and mix thoroughly to coat the meat.
  • Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook pork in 2 batches until browned, about 3 minutes to 4 minutes per side. Gradually put the Meat inside the Pumpkin until it fills the Pumpkin. Then pour the Wine and Apple Cider into the Pumpkin then add the additional sliced shallots to the top of the meat and then put the top on the Pumpkin. I used a 9X13 Baking pan which I had sprayed with Pam.
  • Place the Pumpkin in the Center of the Pan and Bake for 3 ½ Hours. Meat will be very tender.
  • Once the Meat is out of the Pumpkin, slice the Pumpkin and serve with the Meat.
  • Serve with Vegetables such as Brussel Sprouts or Peas.