Pernil - Roast Pork Shoulder
Mob Recipe

Paul Castellano's Pernil

Associated With Paul "Big Paul" Castellano
Prep Time 30 min
Cook Time 5-6 hours
Servings 10-12

The Gambino family boss was shopping for pork shoulder to make pernil on the afternoon of December 16, 1985, when he was gunned down outside Sparks Steak House in Manhattan. This traditional Puerto Rican-style roast pork was reportedly his Christmas specialty.

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Instructions

  1. Make the Adobo: In a food processor or mortar and pestle, combine olive oil, vinegar, oregano, cumin, pepper, salt, sazón, achiote, minced garlic, lime juice, and sofrito. Blend into a thick paste.
  2. Score the Meat: Using a sharp knife, make deep slits all over the pork shoulder, about 1-2 inches apart. Cut through the skin and into the meat. These pockets will hold the marinade.
  3. Stuff and Marinate: Push whole garlic cloves into some of the slits. Rub the adobo paste all over the pork, pushing it deep into every cut. Place in a large roasting pan, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight (up to 3 days for best results).
  4. Bring to Room Temperature: Remove pork from refrigerator 2 hours before cooking. This ensures even cooking throughout.
  5. Start Covered: Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover the roasting pan tightly with foil. Roast for 3 hours, allowing the meat to become tender in its own juices.
  6. Uncover and Crisp: Remove foil and increase oven temperature to 375°F. Continue roasting for 2-3 hours, basting every 30 minutes with pan juices. The skin should become golden and crackling crisp.
  7. Rest: When internal temperature reaches 185-190°F and the meat is pulling away from the bone, remove from oven. Let rest for 20-30 minutes before carving.
  8. Serve: Pull or slice the meat, making sure everyone gets some crispy skin. Serve with arroz con gandules, maduros, and fresh lime wedges. Drizzle with pan juices.

The Story Behind the Recipe

Paul Castellano rose to become the boss of the Gambino crime family - the largest and most powerful Mafia family in the United States. Known as "Big Paul" and "The Howard Hughes of the Mob" for his reclusive nature, Castellano ran the family from his Staten Island mansion, rarely venturing into Manhattan.

Unlike stereotypical mob bosses, Castellano was known for his domestic side. He was an accomplished cook who took pride in preparing traditional Italian and Puerto Rican dishes. His housekeeper and mistress, Gloria Olarte, was Colombian, and through her he developed a love for Latin cuisine, particularly pernil.

On December 16, 1985, Castellano was scheduled to meet underboss Thomas Bilotti and capo Thomas Gambino at Sparks Steak House on East 46th Street. Earlier that day, he had been shopping for ingredients to make his Christmas pernil.

As Castellano and Bilotti stepped out of their Lincoln Town Car, four men in trench coats and fur hats approached and opened fire. Both were killed instantly. The hit was orchestrated by John Gotti, who watched from a car across the street. Gotti became the new boss that night.

The assassination was one of the most brazen mob hits in history - carried out in broad daylight during rush hour in midtown Manhattan, just days before Christmas. The pernil Castellano planned to make was never prepared.

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