Recipe: Spicy Pork (Chancho Adobado)

`INGREDIENTS:`
1 whole head garlic	2 tablespoons ground annatto (achiote)	2 teaspoons ground cumin
salt, freshly ground pepper	1 cup white vinegar	3 pounds shoulder of pork, cut into 2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons lard or vegetable oil	juice of 1 Seville (bitter) orange, or 1/4 cup orange juice	1-1/2 pounds sweet potatoes

`1`	Peel the garlic cloves and reduce them to a puree in an electric blender with the annatto, cumin, salt and pepper to taste, and vinegar. Put the pork pieces into a large bowl and pour the garlic marinade over them, mixing well. Marinate overnight in the refrigerator, covered. Strain, reserving the marinade. Pat the pork cubes dry with paper towels. Heat the lard or oil in a large skillet and saute the pork pieces until golden brown all over, transferring them to a casserole as they are done. Pour the reserved marinade over the pork, add the orange juice, cover, and cook over very low heat until the meat is tender, 1-1/2 to 2 hours. If the meat seems to be drying out, add a little water; 3 or 4 tablespoons will probably be enough. There should be very little gravy when the dish is finished.
`2`	Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into slices about 3/4 inch thick. Cook in boiling salted water until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain.
`3`	To serve, heap the pork in the center of a large warmed platter and surround with the sweet potato slices moistened with a little of the meat gravy. White rice is another traditional accompaniment to this dish.