In the Kitchen: Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder Tacos with Pickled Watermelon Rind

Paired with Hibiscus Beers

(Photo by Jon Page)

Start to finish, this meal requires three to four days of preparation—but it’s well worth the wait. The pickled watermelon rind offers a tart snap that’s a perfect complement for the savory, slow-roasted pork. Throw in cherry tomatoes, cilantro, onions and the heat of spicy serrano peppers, and this meal is a perfect ally with any of the beers mentioned below. Serves 5 people.–Chef Jeffrey Vance of No Anchor

The Pickled Watermelon Rind

1 watermelon

4 tablespoons dill seed

2 tablespoons mustard seed

2 whole star anise

1 cup vinegar

½ cup sugar

¼ cup kosher salt

1 cup cold water

1 bunch fresh dill

6 cloves garlic

The Pork Shoulder

3 tablespoons black peppercorns

2 tablespoons coriander seed

2 bay leaves

8 whole cloves

2 gallons cold water

8 ounces kosher salt

3 ounces white sugar

1 pork butt (3-4 pounds)

The Tacos

Corn tortillas

Cherry tomatoes

Serrano peppers

Onion

Cilantro

Preparation

1. Peel and discard skin from watermelon. Separate flesh from rind and reserve for another use—or enjoy now! Cut rind into bite-sized pieces.

2. Toast dill seed, mustard seed and star anise until aromatic.

3. In a large container or Mason jar, dissolve salt and sugar in vinegar. Add water, spices, fresh dill, garlic and watermelon rind. Cover and refrigerate for three to four days.

4. One to two days later, prepare the brine for the pork shoulder. Toast black peppercorns, coriander seed, bay leaves and cloves until aromatic. Tie toasted spices into a sachet using cheesecloth. In a large container, dissolve salt and sugar in cold water and add sachet. Completely immerse pork in brine. Cover and refrigerate for 48 hours.

5. After 48 hours, remove pork from brine and dry. Roast the pork in an oven at 325 degrees F (or in a charcoal grill) until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 190 degrees F. Using two forks, shred the pork into bite-sized pieces.

6. To assemble tacos, warm corn tortillas in a cast-iron pan. Place shredded pork, pickled watermelon rind, cherry tomatoes and sliced serrano peppers on tortillas. Top with chopped onion, cilantro and any additional toppings of your choosing.

Pairings: Hibiscus Beers

Brewers continue to experiment with specialty ingredients, pushing the boundaries of flavor. Since a good beer deserves a good meal, All About Beer Magazine asked Chef Jeffrey Vance of No Anchor in Seattle to taste a few beers infused with hibiscus and offer tasting notes and pairing suggestions. Get more pairing ideas and recipes at allaboutbeer.net/food.