Pulled Pork and Pear Empanadas with Cilantro Mojo

For the adobo: Combine the oregano, rosemary, garlic, and olive oil in a small bowl. Place the pork butt or shoulder in a roasting pan, fat side up. Rub the adobo all over the pork, using some pressure to get it to adhere. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. One hour before you’re ready to roast the pork, remove it from the refrigerator and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

For the mop: Combine the vinegar, water, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and oil in a bowl.

Season the pork with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and cover with aluminum foil. Place the roasting pan in the middle of the preheated oven and cook until a meat thermometer inserted in the center or thickest part of the meat registers 165 degrees, turning the pan and brushing the pork with the mop every 20 minutes, for a total of about 90 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.

For the mojo: Make the mojo while the pork is cooling. Sauté the minced garlic to soften slightly. Add the cilantro, lemon juice, and olive oil. When it is cool enough to handle, shred the meat using your hands or two forks and pour the pan juices and mojo over the shredded meat.

For the spiked pears: Put the sugar in a non-reactive sauté pan and heat gently until it dissolves. Just as the sugar begins to color slightly, add the diced pears and onion, raise heat and toss to coat. Continue cooking another few minutes, until pears and onions are soft and golden brown. Remove from heat and add minced chile, vinegar and lemon juice. Toss to combine and set aside to cool.

To make the filling, add 4 cups pulled pork and mojo to the caramelized pears and stir to combine.

Place 2 heaping tablespoons filling in the middle of the empanada shell near the bottom. Use your finger and a small dish of water to lightly moisten the edges of the shell all the way around. Carefully fold the top over the contents to make a semi circle and use a fork to crimp the edges.

Finish the empanadas by deep-frying them in 350 degree vegetable oil until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels and serve warm with Grilled Pear and Mango Relish.

yield: Makes filling for 30 large (or 60 small) empanadas