The word ham derives from the Old English hamm, referring to a cut of meat from a pig's hind legs. Explorer Hernando de Soto's 13 pigs became the breeding stock for America's pork industry when he landed on the coast of Florida in 1539. Today there are several different styles of ham. Country ham refers to a method of dry-curing and smoking developed in the rural regions of Virginia, Kentucky, and other nearby states. Country hams, though preserved, must be cleaned and cooked before being served. City hams are wet-cured by being submerged in or injected with brine and then smoked. City hams only need to be heated through, as they are fully cooked, like the spiral-cut ham that is popular at Easter. Raw hams, usually marketed as fresh hams, also can be purchased and cured, smoked, or baked at home. Without curing, a cooked fresh ham resembles a loin roast or chop and lacks the salty, smoky flavor of processed ham. No matter the style, baked ham is a beloved staple at holiday dinners as well as throughout the rest of the year.
Recipe Servings: 16
+ 24 hours 20 minutes resting
Ingredients
- 1–8 lb ham
- Whole cloves, to garnish
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ tsp dry mustard
- 2 Tbsp pineapple juice
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
Directions
- Cover the ham with cold water and soak for a full day, changing the water every few hours.
- Scrub ham to remove any coating and rinse well. Drain ham, place in a large soup pot with water to cover, and simmer 3–3½ hours. Let cool in cooking liquid.
- Heat the oven to 325°F.
- Drain the ham. Using a sharp knife, remove skin and unwanted fat. With the tip of the knife, score the ham, making a diamond pattern on the surface. Poke a clove into the ham in each diamond.
- Bake for 2 hours.
- Combine sugar and dry mustard. Add liquid ingredients, stirring until the sugar melts.
- Brush or spread glaze over the ham.
- Bake for another 15–20 minutes.
- Let it rest for an additional 15–20 minutes before slicing.
- Serve with spiced fruit, brandied peaches, or fried pineapple slices.
Notes
Honey can be substituted for brown sugar, and lemon juice can be used instead of vinegar.
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