Pork Agrodolce

Description

Agrodolce, a generic Italian term for any type of sweet and sour condiment, really shines when used for braising chunks of succulent pork shoulder. This soul-warming comfort food is amazing served on rice, pasta, polenta, or, as seen here, a big pile of ricotta mashed potatoes. I’m not sure if Italians barbecue like we do here in the States, but the sauce very much reminded me of something we’d brush on a rack of ribs while sipping a cold beer.

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ⅓ cup aged balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ cup distilled white vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 anchovy fillet, or more to taste, mashed
  • ¼ cup finely chopped green onions
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt, or more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 ½ pounds boneless pork shoulder

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C). Brush a baking dish with olive oil.
  2. Whisk tomato paste
  3. vinegar
  4. honey
  5. mashed anchovy
  6. green onions
  7. garlic
  8. rosemary
  9. salt
  10. red pepper flakes
  11. and black pepper together in a large bowl to make the agrodolce.
  12. Cut pork shoulder into roughly 3-inch pieces. Add to the bowl of agrodolce and mix by hand until coated. Transfer pork and sauce to the prepared baking dish.
  13. Bake in the preheated oven
  14. flipping pieces over halfway through
  15. until pork is very tender
  16. 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Add a splash of water if pork appears too dry. Skim off fat as desired.

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 2 hrs 30 mins

Total Time: 2 hrs 45 mins

Servings: 12

Leave a Comment