Lechona is a traditional Colombian dish made with pork, vegetables and spices. This amazing meal is very popular during the holidays.
Lechona Tolimense (Colombian-Style Stuffed Pork)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pork fat back skins
- ¼ cup pork fat or lard
- 4 scallions chopped
- 4 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon sazon with azafran or color
- ¾ cup peas yellow or green
- 1 ¼ cups cooked white rice
- Salt and pepper
- 2 pounds pound pork meat cut into small pieces
Instructions
- In a medium sauce pan melt the pork fat or lard. Add the scallions and garlic. Cook for about 3 minutes.
- In a large bowl mix the pork meat, cooked rice, ground cumin, sazon, peas,, salt and pepper.
- Add the pork fat and onion mixture to the bowl. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
- o assemble: Rinse the pork fat skin under cold water and pat dry. Lay the pork fat skin on a baking sheet or baking pan lined with foil, top with rice mixture. Start rolling the pork skin to enclose the rice and pork mixture completely. Tie with kitchen string to hold it together.
- Preheat the oven to 475 F.
- Bake for about 40 minutes uncovered to allow the skin to brown.Cover with foil and cook for about 45 minutes more.
- Remove from the oven and transfer it to a cutting board. Carve the lechona after it has rested for at least 15 minutes. Serve with arepa, salted potatoes and lime wedges on the side.
Notes
Nutrition
Lechona Tolimense is a traditional dish, originally from the Tolima department of Colombia, is often served on special occasions. This popular dish consists of a whole pork stuffed with rice, peas and spices , cooked in a brick oven for about ten to twelve hours.
Lechona was Mamita's favorite Colombian dish and it was the main course at our Noche Buena, New Year's Eve celebrations and at her birthday parties. The most important thing for Mamita was that the skin was really crispy.
Noche Buena and New Year's Eve dinners at my grandmother's house were filled with tables groaning under the immense amount of food piled on top of it and people bustling to get to it. Two different kinds of pork roast, lechona, tamales, buñuelos, natilla, hojuelas, arroz con leche, brevas caladas, and two or three salads. Memories that I will always treasure. Mamita passed away about 10 years ago and even though the loss is over-whelming, I can’t help but remember her with a smile. She was the best Grandmother any girl could ask for.
Lechona Tolimense is a delicious meal. My mom has a recipe to make a small Lechona at home using pork skin and I want to share it with you. Sorry, but I could not afford a whole pig.
Enjoy it!
Note: If you want to see pictures of a traditional lechona made with a whole pig you can visit Nika's blog here. If you are a vegetarian, I don't recommend the pictures.
Johannes Lörstad
Thank you for sharing your recipe. It looks absolutely delicious. I only have one question and that is if it’s possible to use some other meat? What would you recommend?
Thank you again!
Johannes Lörstad
Melissa
I was so excited to see this “work around” to make a smaller amount. I worked with a guy years ago who used to bring me a plate of leftovers when he and his family did a whole pig at Christmas, then later tamales they made from their leftovers. It was so good and I have thought of it often. I also got to hear the hilarious stories of he and his uncle and cousins going to get the live pig and hauling it in the back of his very nice Ford Explorer (probably never smelled the same) and the displeasure of suburban neighbors at back-yard pig butchering.
Sandra Allen
Si usted es religioso para comidas halal y kosher, le informaría cuándo intentaré esto. Perdona mi espãnol. This recipe looks amazing!! Thanks for sharing.
Jessica Luther
It took me 45 minutes to finish this dish your way.
Really great results. My whole family loves it.
they asked me to do more next time,
thank you
Lori
wowww, that really look amazing...great recipe!
Beks
This is very interesting! I've never heard of it.
Peter Crouch
I will make family dinner on the weekends.
my wife will love it.
Peter Crouch
This dish is beautiful and looks so delicious!! Great job as always
Whits@amusebouche
This dish is beautiful and looks so delicious!! Great job as always
Christina Moore
Columbian style pork recipe – it must be mouthwatering. We will be having party tomorrow and I am thinking if I will add it to my menu. Maybe steamed vegetable is perfect for a side dish.
Paul @Diet Blog Pro
lechona tolimense colombian style stuffed pork good idea. i love your recipe i tried your recipe all recipe make great .everyone like it. thanks for sharing.
Anthony Allen
I love it ! We will definatelly try it anytime soon.
Richard Tunner
Good recipe, it's always been one of my favorite dishes to make!
Susan Dubose
Thank you so very much for this recipe. It was well worth all of the wait time!
Rimmy
i will practise to do gift for my girlfriend in the next halloween.