Pork has been through a number of changes since the 1970s, when it was demonized for its high fat content. The pork industry has responded by creating ever-leaner pork, with many cuts now having no more fat than chicken. This was the inspiration for the slogan that refers to pork as "the other white meat." The spread of Southern-style pulled pork, and the rediscovery of heritage hog breeds like the Tamworth and Berkshire, have revived interest in well-marbled, slow-roasted pork.

Not all cuts of pork are well-suited to the long cooking times needed for slow, low-temperature cooking. Leaner cuts, such as the loin or sirloin, will be left dry and tasteless by this cooking method. The best cuts are those with a significant quantity of marbling and fat, which will eventually cook out -- but until then -- keeps the pork moist and juicy. The most popular cuts for slow cooking come from the shoulder. Any pork shoulder roast will work, but the butt -- or Boston butt, as it's sometimes called -- is a good choice because of its uniform shape.

There are several ways to prepare the pork for roasting. Score any surface fat with a sharp knife and rub it with your favorite dry seasoning mixture, and let it sit overnight to absorb the flavors. Alternatively, use a mixture of two parts coarse kosher salt to one part sugar, which will firm the meat's texture slightly and give a darkly browned outer surface. You could also rub your roast with Dijon mustard, minced garlic, fresh rosemary or sage, or any other flavorings you like. Leave the roast overnight in your refrigerator, to acquire flavors.

Slow, low-temperature cooking is a powerful technique, but it does have one shortcoming: Much of the flavor in roasted meats comes from browning, and low-temperature cooking won't brown the pork. Browning is caused by a process called Maillard reactions, created when the amino acids in the meat's proteins are altered by exposure to heat. The amino acid molecules break down into fragments and rejoin in more complicated molecules, producing a range of new flavors. To get the benefits of both slow-roasting and still enjoy the savory flavors of browned pork, sear it in a heavy skillet before roasting.

Preheat your oven to 275 F. Place the pork on your roaster's rack, and put it on the middle rack of the oven. Cook slowly for four to five hours, until it's fork-tender. This usually takes place at an internal temperature of 185 F to 200 F, when the connective tissues have broken down. Finish at 450 F for 30 minutes to brown the roast, if you haven't already done so. Cover loosely with aluminum foil and rest the roast for 15 to 20 minutes before carving.