How to Cook the Perfect, Crispy Pata: A Filipino Delight

Filipino cuisine is bursting with flavors, and one of the most popular dishes is crispy pata. If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re missing out! It’s a mouth-watering pork dish made with tender meat on the inside and a crispy exterior that’s perfect for any occasion. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through how to cook crispy pata at home, so you can indulge in this delicious Filipino dish whenever you want.

Step 1: Preparing the Pata

The first step is preparing the pork pata or leg. You can purchase it from your local meat shop or grocery store. Make sure you ask them to remove the hairs and clean it well. Once at home, rinse the pata with water and pat it dry. You can also make small slits on the skin to help the marinade seep through.

Step 2: Marinate the Pata

Marinating the pata is crucial to get the right flavor. You can prepare the marinade using soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, onions, bay leaves, and pepper. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and marinate the pata for at least 6 hours or best overnight. Make sure to turn it over to make sure all sides are well coated with the mixture.

Step 3: Prepare for Frying

Once the pata is well-marinated, remove it from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels. You can also allow it to air dry for a few hours to ensure it is well dried. After it is dry, you can rub it with salt and pepper. Heating the oil is next, and ensure that you have enough oil to cover the pata completely.

Step 4: Fry the Pata

Once the oil is hot, you can lower down the pata carefully into the frying pan. It is recommended that you lower it slowly to prevent oil splatters. Let it fry for about 45 minutes on medium heat. Afterward, turn the heat to high to ensure the skin is crispy.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once it is cooked, remove the crispy pata from the pan and place it on a serving plate. Thinly slice into bite-size pieces, and it’s ready to be enjoyed. You can serve it with soy sauce and vinegar dipping sauce or with a side dish of rice.

Crispy pata is a great dish that you can enjoy with your family or friends during special occasions or gatherings. You can follow the steps mentioned above to cook the perfect crispy pata and impress your loved ones. Remember, marinating the pata for a long time is essential for the flavor; it gives a unique taste that is hard to resist. With this recipe, you can quickly cook a mouth-watering crispy pata that will transport you to the streets of the Philippines. Happy cooking!