Italian Bone-In Pork Loin

Step 1

At least 1 day and up to 3 days before serving, place pork on a cutting board; pat dry with paper towels. Have a sharp, thin knife and butcher’s twine at the ready.

Step 2

About 1 inch from tips of rib bones, make a crosswise incision the length of the loin, pressing the knife until it scrapes the bones. Turn the knife, and use a filleting motion to cut a strip of belly from bones. Cut belly strip crosswise into 1-inch pieces; reserve.

Step 3

Score a line in membrane across exposed portion of bones (about 1 inch from tips of bones and running the length of the loin). Slice down the rib bones, make a U-turn at the loin, and slice up the next rib. Repeat to remove all meat between exposed rib bones.

Step 4

To ensure that the fat cap remains over the loin and bastes it as it roasts—and so the meat maintains a uniform shape for even cooking—tie the roast, looping twine between bones.

Step 5

On the membrane side of exposed rib bones, make a vertical slit in membrane to expose bones beneath. Use a towel to grip membrane and remove as much as possible.

Step 6

With rib bones placed against the cutting board, use a downward scraping motion to remove any membrane or meat that is stuck to exposed rib bones.

Step 7

With rib bones placed against the cutting board, use a downward scraping motion to remove any membrane or meat that is stuck to exposed rib bones.

Step 8

About 3 hours before serving, remove pan from refrigerator. Preheat oven to 450°F with rack in center of oven. Sprinkle loin evenly with pepper.

Step 9

Roast pork until golden brown, about 45 minutes, rotating pan occasionally. Remove from oven; using tongs, toss aromatics to coat in rendered fat. Add wine to bottom of pan.

Step 10

Reduce oven temperature to 325°F; roast until a thermometer inserted in loin reads 140°F, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove from oven, tent with foil, and let rest until pork reaches 150°F, 10 to 30 minutes.

Step 11

Place roast on a carving board. Remove butcher’s twine. Carve pork between bones into chops. Discard rosemary; serve pork with vegetables, pan juices, and polenta. Garnish with fennel fronds.