Cochinita Pibil

Cochinita pibil (also puerco pibil or cochinita con achiote) is a traditional Mexican slow-roasted pork dish from the Yucatán Peninsula. Preparation of traditional cochinita involves marinating the meat in strongly acidic citrus juice, adding annatto seed which imparts a vivid burnt orange color, and roasting the meat while it is wrapped in banana leaf.

The meat is wrapped in plantain leaf, placed inside a large roasting pan that then goes underground or inside a clay oven with firewood and slow cooked and smoked for hours until the meat is succulent and tender.

Cochinita Pibil is easily recognizable by its amazing texture and distinctive red color. The red color comes from the annatto, a spice used in much of the Yucatan. The Achiote paste (pictured below) is a mixture of annatto, garlic, vinegar, spices, and salt.  Belizeans who do not speak Spanish call this dish Pibil Pork.