Tuscan Style Braised Pork

This recipe is based upon my recollection of Marlena De Blasi's Tuscan Wild Boar recipe in her book "A Thousand Days in Tuscany." (My copy of that book is currently packed up, so I couldn't consult it.) Also, I made modifications based upon what I had on hand. This is a great dish to serve to a hungry crowd of meat eaters! Please note that prep time does not include time to marinate meat which can vary according to your needs or preferences.

• Ready In: 3 hrs 15 mins
• Serves: 12-14

Ingredients

• 6 -7  lbs  pork shoulder
• 1  tablespoon  juniper berries
• 1  tablespoon clove
• 1⁄2 tablespoon black peppercorns
• 1  tablespoon dried rosemary
• 1  teaspoon dried garlic, sliced
• 2  tablespoons coarse sea salt
• 1⁄4 cup  gin
• 1⁄4 cup olive oil
• 1 (32 ounce) container chicken broth
• 1  cup tomato sauce
• 1  tablespoon red wine vinegar
•  water, to cover

Directions

1. Cut roast into 2" chunks, removing excess fat.
2. Process juniper berries, cloves, peppercorns, dried garlic and sea salt in spice grinder until coarse mixture results.
3. Put meat into large plastic container and rub generously with several tablespoons of spice mixture. (Reserve remaining spices.) Add gin and olive oil and thoroughly mix together. Seal container and refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours. Turn container a few times during marination process. You can marinate for up to three days if you can wait that long!
4. Preheat oven to 325 deg F. Brown meat pieces in batches on stove top over medium high heat in a large oven safe covered pot or dutch oven. Place browned meat back into pot and add chicken broth, tomato sauce, red wine vinegar and enough water to cover meat.
5. Cover and transfer pot to oven. Braise meat for 3-4 hours or until meat is very tender. Taste sauce and season with reserved spices if desired. Serve over pasta or mashed potatoes.