Quick answer
How do I get crackling skin?
Dry the skin well, salt it, and score it before roasting. Start low and slow, then crank the heat at the end — the fat renders and the crackling puffs up crisp.
Suckling pig is a young pig roasted whole — with glassy, crackling skin and meat that falls apart under a fork. It roasts low and slow, easily over a whole afternoon, and makes a showstopping centerpiece for a feast. Take a look at the recipes and marinades.
Quick answer
Dry the skin well, salt it, and score it before roasting. Start low and slow, then crank the heat at the end — the fat renders and the crackling puffs up crisp.
Count on roughly three to five hours at a lower temperature around 150 °C (300 °F) — exact timing depends on the size of the pig. It's done when the meat pulls easily from the bone.
A celebration, wedding, or big family gathering where you're feeding a crowd at once. A whole roast pig looks festive on the table and is an event in itself.
Figure on roughly half to three-quarters of a kilo of raw weight per person. A pig around ten kilos comfortably feeds about fifteen people with sides.