Jamaican-Style Jerk Spareribs

INGREDIENTS:

1. 7 pounds pork spareribs, trimmed of excess fat
2. 8 medium scallions, coarsely chopped
3. 8 large garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
4. 3 Scotch bonnet chiles with some of their seeds, coarsely chopped
5. 1 small onion, coarsely chopped
6. 1/3 cup vegetable oil
7. 1/4 cup soy sauce
8. 1 1/2 tablespoons Chinese five-spice powder
9. 1 1/2 tablespoons freshly ground allspice
10. 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
11. 1 tablespoon kosher salt
12. 2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large pot of boiling water, cook the spareribs over moderate heat for 25 minutes. Drain and let cool.
2. In a food processor, combine the chopped scallions with the garlic, chiles, onion, vegetable oil, soy sauce, Chinese five-spice powder, ground allspice, lime juice, salt and pepper and process the mixture to a paste.
3. Set the spareribs on 2 large rimmed baking sheets and spread the jerk paste all over them. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bring to room temperature before grilling.
4. Light a grill. Grill the spareribs over a medium-hot fire, turning them frequently if they are browning too fast, until lightly charred and crisp, about 25 minutes. Transfer the ribs to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes. Cut in between the ribs, arrange on a platter and serve.

SUGGESTED PAIRING

A fruity, spicy Zinfandel will stand up to the heat in this dish. Choose one with low levels of oak and alcohol, since fiery spices exaggerate both qualities in a wine. Or, alternatively, choose a zesty, full-flavored Caribbean beer like Red Stripe to cool down the spices.