Chef John's Pumpkin-Braised Pork

Ingredients (12)

• + 3 ½ pounds boneless pork shoulder add to pantry
• + 1 tablespoon kosher salt add to pantry
• + 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper add to pantry
• ✓ ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ✓ ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• + 1 teaspoon crushed fennel seeds add to pantry
• + 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary add to pantry
• + ⅓ cup thinly sliced shallots add to pantry
• + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour add to pantry
• + 1 tablespoon olive oil add to pantry
• + 1 volleyball-sized sugar pumpkin add to pantry
• + 2 cups hard apple cider, or more as needed add to pantry