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Crispy Pata

Pig's leg is known in Filipino as pata. This pig's leg is deep-fried to a crispy texture. The process is relatively simple, but gets tricky when deep-frying, which can be dangerous for the novice cook. The crispy pata is typically served with atsara, a pickled papaya relish.

Recipe Servings: 4

Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time
1 hour 40 minutes
Vegetarian
Vegan
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Kosher
Halal

Ingredients

  • 12–15 cups (2.8–3.5 l) water
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 2 Tbsp (30 ml) whole peppercorns
  • 4–6 star anise, optional
  • 2 Tbsp (40 g) salt, divided
  • 1 whole pig’s leg (about 3–4 lbs/1.4–1.8 kg), cleaned
  • 2–3 tsp (10–15 ml) garlic powder
  • 2 tsp (10 ml) ground black pepper
  • 8–12 cups (1.92.8 l) vegetable oil, for frying
  • atsara, as needed for serving (optional)

Directions

  1. Pour water into a very large pot and bring to a boil.
  2. Add dried bay leaves, whole peppercorns, star anise (if using), and 4 teaspoons (20 ml) of salt.
  3. Add whole pig’s leg to cooking pot and simmer for 45–60 minutes, until leg becomes tender.
  4. Remove leg from pot and allow to cool enough to be handled.
  5. Rub leg with garlic powder, ground black pepper, and remaining salt.
  6. Let meat rest for 15 minutes to absorb the rub.
  7. Pour vegetable oil into a different, large pot (with a cover) and set over medium heat.
  8. Place rubbed pork leg in hot oil and deep-fry until one side becomes crispy and then carefully flip leg to fry other side. 
  9. Turn off heat, remove leg, and transfer to a serving plate.
  10. Serve pata hot with atsara on the side, if desired.