Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat until hot; add the onions and a pinch of salt and pepper; reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for about 1 minute; add the sage and cook until the onions cease throwing off water, about 3 minutes; add the water, cover, and cook until the onions are very tender, about 10 minutes; uncover and saute until the onions are very soft and the pan is dry again, about 2 minutes; season well with salt and pepper.
  2. Preheat the oven to 275 degrees fahrenheit; peel back the pork skin and spread the onions directly on the fat layer; fold the skin back over the onions and tie closed with kitchen string (I didn't do this - just patted everything into place); season well all over with the fennel spice.
  3. Arrange the meat on a rack in a roasting pan and cook until the meat is very tender, 6 to 8 hours; it is ready when it pulls away easily if picked at with a pair of tongs; it is often easiest to cook the meat overnight, or put it in the oven in the morning and let it cook all day; it does not need to be attended.