Big Island Wild Pig With Cavatelli Food

KALUA PIG WITH CAVATELLI AND CHINESE BROCCOLI

Steps:

• Arrange an oven rack in the middle position and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with 2 large sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil, about 24 inches each, making a cross on the bottom of the dish. Place the banana leaf on top of the foil cross.
• Place the pork butt on top of the banana leaf. Drizzle the liquid smoke on top of the pork, then sprinkle the Alaea salt evenly across the top. Pour 1/4 cup water into the side of the pork.
• Wrap the pork with the banana leaf. Take the foil from the 2 short sides of the dish and wrap the pork, followed by the foil on the 2 longer sides of the dish. Crimp the foil together to seal the pork. Make sure to wrap the pork tightly to prevent it from drying up during the cooking process.
• Roast the pork until tender and moist, about 5 hours.
• Let the pork rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Open the foil and the banana leaf and shred the pork into medium-size pieces with 2 forks and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
• Combine 1/4 cup of the pasta water and 1 cup of the shredded pork in a large skillet over medium heat. (Reserve the remaining pork for another use.) Add the pasta and toss to combine. Add the butter and stir to create a creamy consistency. Simmer the pasta and pork until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes, making sure the liquid is not too loose or too dry and adding remaining reserved pasta water as needed. Turn off the heat, toss in the Parmigiano-Reggiano and season with kosher salt.
• Add the oil to another large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until it starts to brown slightly, about 1 minute. Add the Chinese broccoli and saute until slightly wilted, about 2 minutes, then toss to combine with the pasta.
• To serve, divide the pasta among 4 bowls then finish with more Parmesan-Reggiano cheese on top.

BIG ISLAND WILD PIG WITH CAVATELLI

Steps:

• For pork:
• Preheat oven to 375°. Enclose fennel seeds in resealable plastic bag; using mallet, coarsely crack seeds. (Alternatively, crack seeds in mortar with pestle.) Mix seeds, smoked paprika, brown sugar, crushed red pepper, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in small bowl to blend. Place pork on sheet of foil. Sprinkle spice mixture all over pork and roll pork on foil sheet, pressing firmly so spices will adhere.
• Heat oil in heavy large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Add pork to pot and sear until brown on all sides, 8 to 9 minutes. Add 3 cups broth and any seasoning mixture remaining on sheet of foil; bring to boil. Cover pot tightly and transfer to oven. Braise until pork is very tender, turning pork every 30 minutes, about 2 hours total. Remove pot from oven. Uncover pot and cool pork in pot 1 hour.
• Transfer pork to cutting board. Cut pork into 1/2- to 3/4-inch cubes. Spoon off fat from top of sauce in pot. Return pork cubes to sauce in pot. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled. Rewarm pork and sauce over medium heat until heated through before using.
• For pasta:
• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain pasta. Set aside.
• Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic to skillet; stir 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and arugula and toss until arugula wilts, 2 to 3 minutes. Add drained pasta to tomato mixture in skillet and toss 1 minute to blend. Add 1 cup crumbled goat cheese to skillet and toss just until cheese softens slightly but does not melt, about 1 minute. Season pasta to taste with salt and black pepper. Transfer pasta to large bowl. Spoon pork and sauce over. Scatter remaining 1/4 cup goat cheese over and serve.