Porchetta Sandwich

A decadent porchetta sandwich featuring crispy pork skin, tender roasted pork, and a zesty salsa verde on a rustic ciabatta roll.
20h 30m8Servings
Nutrition
793kcal
16gProtein
11gCarbs
77gFat
Ingredients
PORCHETTA
Pork Belly
2 lb
Nutmeg
0.25 whole
Orange Zest
1 whole
Fresh Fennel Fronds
¼ cup
Fresh Rosemary
¼ cup
Pine Nuts
2 tbsp
Kosher Salt
To taste
to taste
Black Pepper
To taste
to taste
Chili Flakes
½ tsp
Garlic Cloves
12 cloves
SALSA VERDE
Fresh Parsley
1 cup
Lemon Juice
1 tbsp
Lemon Zest
1 whole
Capers
2 tbsp
White Wine Vinegar
1 tbsp
Anchovy Fillets
3 pieces
Olive Oil
½ cup
FOR ASSEMBLY
Focaccia Bread
1 whole
Arugula
2 cups
Equipment
Food Processor
Thermometer
Instructions
1Prepare the Porchetta
30m
Score the Skin
Lay the pork belly flat, skin-side down. Score the skin deeply in a diamond pattern, about 1/4 inch deep, making sure not to cut into the fat or meat.
Score the Meat
Flip the pork belly over. Score the meat side deeply in a crosshatch pattern, about 1-2 inches apart and 1 inch deep. This helps the fat render and the skin crisp up.
Season the Porchetta
Generously season the meat side with freshly grated nutmeg, orange zest, chopped fennel fronds, chopped rosemary, toasted pine nuts, kosher salt, black pepper, and chili flakes. Press the seasonings into the crevices.
Roll the Porchetta
Roll the pork belly tightly into a log, starting from the scored meat side. Ensure there are no gaps. Tie the porchetta securely with butcher's twine at 2-3 inch intervals.
Score the Skin Again
Using a sharp knife or scoring tool, score the skin of the rolled porchetta all over, making sure the scores go deep enough to allow fat to render but not into the meat.
Chill Overnight
Place the porchetta on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet. Refrigerate uncovered overnight to dry out the skin for maximum crispiness.
2Roast the Porchetta
8h
Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
Insert Thermometer
Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the porchetta.
Slow Roast
Roast the porchetta low and slow for 4-8 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
Crisp the Skin
Increase the oven temperature to 500°F (260°C) and blast the porchetta for about 20 minutes, or until the skin is crackling and golden brown. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
Rest the Porchetta
Remove the porchetta from the oven and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
3Make the Salsa Verde
10m
Combine Ingredients
In a food processor, combine chopped parsley, lemon juice, lemon zest, capers, white wine vinegar, and anchovy fillets.
Add Olive Oil
Slowly drizzle in olive oil while processing until the mixture is well combined but still has some texture.
Season and Adjust
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Pulse a few more times if desired for a finer consistency.
4Assemble the Sandwiches
15m
Slice the Bread
Slice the focaccia bread horizontally to create a base and a top.
Layer the Porchetta
Generously stack slices of the rested porchetta onto the bottom half of the focaccia.
Add Salsa Verde and Arugula
Spread a layer of salsa verde over the porchetta, then top with a handful of arugula.
Top and Secure
Place the top half of the focaccia onto the sandwich. Secure with toothpicks and slice into halves or quarters.
Tips
For extra crispy skin, ensure the porchetta is completely dry before roasting.
Don't skip the resting period; it allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender roast.
The salsa verde can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.