Cordero al palo

Cordero al palo is a traditional lamb specialty that involves roasting a whole lamb on a spit, a cooking technique which has long been practiced in Chile and Argentina (especially Patagonia). The lamb is slowly cooked for several hours over a wood fire, all the while basting in its own juices and fat, resulting in succulent and tender meat surrounded by crispy skin. While cooking, the meat is often enhanced with a mixture of warm water, salt, and garlic. The dish can be found on the menus of numerous restaurants throughout the region, and it is typically served with pebre, a popular Chilean condiment. Other typical accompaniments to this dish include boiled potatoes, fresh salads, bread, and lots of fine red wine. This spit-roasted lamb delicacy is nowadays usually prepared on special occasions and for holidays.