Braised Pork With Grilled Scallions [Brasato di Maiale)

Ingredients for marinade:
1/2 cup olive oil, plus 1/3 cup olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced, plus 1 yellow onion, finely chopped (red onion, Walla Walla, sweet Texas, etc., may be substituted)
1 small carrot, sliced
1 rib celery, sliced
1 T fine sea salt
10 cloves garlic, crushed, plus 4 cloves, crushed
2 bay leaves
2 T fresh rosemary, finely chopped
12 juniper berries, crushed
1 bottle good red wine
4 pounds pork shoulder, cut into 3-inch chunks
3 ounces pancetta, finely chopped
2 cups white wine
1 cup sugar
1/2 cups red wine vinegar

Optional: Fresh sliced carrots and other vegetables (green beans, turnips, etc.)
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Ingredients for grilled scallion salad:
3 bunches scallions
extra virgin olive oil
1 lemon
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparing the pork:
In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup olive oil with the sliced onion, carrot, and celery. Add the salt, crushed garlic cloves, bay leaves, rosemary, juniper berries, and the bottle of wine. Place the pork in a non-reactive bowl and cover with the marinade. Marinate for 3 days, refrigerated, stirring twice a day.

Remove the meat from the marinade.

In a large casserole, heat the remaining olive oil, then add the pork pieces and pancetta to sear on all sides, working in batches, and removing the meat once it is seared. Add the chopped onion and remaining garlic to the pan, and cook until just softened. Add the marinade and scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Add 2 cups wine and the pork and bring to a simmer. Cook over low heat, partially covered, for 90 minutes, or until the meat is very tender.

Remove the meat and keep it covered.

In a small saucepan, heat the sugar over high heat until it melts and turns golden. Remove from the heat and add the vinegar. Pour this mixture into the sauce and heat through. Serve the pork with the sauce spooned over. Encircle the pork with the grilled scallion salad. Drizzle fresh extra virgin olive oil over the top and a little squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

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Preparing the grilled scallion salad:
Drizzle the scallions with olive oil. Grill for 1 minute. Squeeze 1/2 lemon over scallions and grill for 2 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove the scallions from the grill and toss with the rest of the lemon juice.

Serves 8