Skip The Trompo: Make These Al Pastor Kebabs
Skip The Trompo: Make These Al Pastor Kebabs
![Plate of al pastor kebabs tacos with garnishes and fresh tortillas](http://masienda.com/cdn/shop/articles/ConvertOut-Resized-IMGL9098_1_2000x.jpg?v=1714068400)
May 2, 2024
Credit for the dish's conception is due to the Lebanese immigrants who came to Mexico in the early 1900s and introduced their shawarma-style cooking technique of rotating meat on an open flame.
Tacos al pastor typically begin with pork (marinated in achiote paste, dried chiles and spices) cooked slowly on a trompo (a kind of vertical rotisserie) together with pineapple. The meat is then thinly shaved and served on a corn tortilla, garnished with pineapple, chopped onions, and cilantro.
To make them at home, we're replacing one Middle Eastern cooking technique with another: the kebab. Toss chicken thighs in a quick adobo marinade to give them that beautiful deep-red color before layering them onto a skewer with chunks of pineapple and grilling (or searing on a grill pan) until beautifully charred. Chicken cooks quickly and stays juicy, but feel free to try it with pork and let us know how it goes!