In Argentina, the traditional Christmas dish of a roasted whole pig is called lechón.
Lechón means a young, suckling pig, and the dish is commonly prepared for major celebrations, including Christmas and New Year. It may be roasted in an oven or cooked slowly on a parrilla, Argentina’s characteristic grill.
Argentine Christmas falls during summer, so holiday menus often combine roast meats with cold salads and other make-ahead dishes. Lechón is especially practical for a large gathering because one pig can feed many guests, and leftovers are often served cold or in sandwiches.
A common mix-up is confusing lechón with pernil. Pernil usually means a roasted leg or shoulder of pork, while lechón refers to the young pig itself, often roasted whole. Asado is Argentina’s broader tradition of grilled meat, not the specific name of this dish.