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Barbecue Pork Kebabs With
Blistered-Chile–Pumpkin Seed Salsa

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Barbecue Pork Kebabs With Chile–Pumpkin Seed Salsa Photo by Ted Cavanaugh

You can always ask your butcher to slice the pork shoulder on the electric slicer for you, which will ensure even pieces and save you time.

Ingredients

Serves 4

For the salsa:

1/4 large white onion
2 jalapeños
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup finely chopped unsalted, roasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Kosher salt

For the pork kebabs:

1 1/4 pounds boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt)
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 tablespoons mustard powder
2 tablespoons paprika
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Vegetable oil (for grill)
Kosher salt

Special Equipment

8 (8–12-inch-long) metal skewers
  1. Make the salsa:

    Step 1

    Cook onion and jalapeños over a gas burner, turning often, until charred and beginning to soften, about 4 minutes (alternatively, cook in a hot dry medium skillet, preferably cast iron). Let cool. Finely chop onion. Remove seeds from chiles and finely chop. Toss onion, chiles, cilantro, pumpkin seeds, oil, and lime juice in a small bowl. Season with salt.

  2. Make the pork kebabs:

    Step 2

    Freeze pork until very firm around the edges, 20–30 minutes. Slice 1/4" thick, then cut crosswise into 1 1/2"–2" strips if needed. Cover and chill until ready to grill.

    Step 3

    红糖,混合芥末粉,辣椒粉,大蒜powder, black pepper, and cayenne in a small bowl to combine.

    Step 4

    Prepare a grill for medium-high, indirect heat (for a charcoal grill, bank coals on one side of grill; for a gas grill, leave one or two burners off). Oil grates. Thread pork onto 6–8 skewers, folding and piling onto itself to form a compact shape. Season with salt, then sprinkle generously with brown sugar mixture in several passes, allowing a few minutes between each for rub to adhere. Grill over direct heat, turning every minute or so, until browned and beginning to char in spots, about 4 minutes. Move to cooler side of grill and continue to grill until cooked through, about 5 minutes longer. Serve pork topped with salsa.

  3. Do Ahead

    Step 5

    Salsa can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
    Dry rub can be made 1 month ahead; store airtight at room temperature.

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How would you rate Barbecue Pork Kebabs With Blistered-Chile–Pumpkin Seed Salsa?

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  • I loved this but my 12yo found it a bit too spicy and I went easy on the rub. I also broiled the skewers as well as the onion and jalapeno for the salsa, which was great.

    • tochefs

    • Toronto

    • 8/3/2020

  • Really delicious. The pork glaze is really tasty, the meat moist, and the salsa incredibly delicious. I'm keeping this one as a regular in the summer.

    • Anonymous

    • Oakville ON

    • 8/6/2017

  • I got to eat delicious and meaty pork shoulder in a very short time, as opposed to the long-cooked options of pulled pork. Not quite as tender as when slow cooked, but very tasty, and the salsa was deliciously different, too. I will absolutely make this again.

    • eslipsman

    • 9/5/2016

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