Can we confess one thing? It may be intimidating to face on the retailer and be confronted with numerous vaguely-defined phrases on packages. Spiral-sliced. Cured. Uncured. Smoked. Recent. With pure juices. Water added. It’s sufficient to make you wish to simply stroll away and order Chinese language for Easter and Christmas.
Right here’s the factor: With a little bit of vocabulary constructing, which we’re blissful to offer, you will get command over these advertising and marketing phrases so you’ll be able to discern what you need—and extra importantly, what you don’t need—in a vacation ham.
First, what’s ham?
Within the easiest phrases, ham is a minimize that comes from the rear leg of a pig. Recent ham is an uncured leg of pork and should have “contemporary” as a part of the identify. They’re the identical coloration and texture as an raw pork roast and should at all times be cooked earlier than consuming. A cured ham has been preserved by moist (brining) or dry (salting) curing and is both smoked or unsmoked. Deep pink in coloration, they are often offered as ready-to-eat or might require cooking. Cured hams are additionally offered as smoked and unsmoked.
That’s your start line. Learn on to search out out the finer particulars about that delish, porky centerpiece.
What sort of ham ought to I not purchase?
You wish to purchase one thing that’s labeled “ham.” That signifies one thing that’s at the very least 20.5% protein with no added water. “Ham with pure juices” is eighteen.5% protein with about 8% added water. “Ham with water added” should include at the very least 17% protein with as much as 10% water. And also you positively don’t need a “ham and water product.” It might include any quantity of water and could have a spongy texture and an unpleasantly moist mouthfeel. Backside line: While you’re standing within the grocery store, go for simply “ham.” Each time and with out fail.
Now that the pretenders to the throne have been banished, let’s think about the various kinds true, actual, sincere ham is available in and what they imply.
Spiral-sliced
Many hams are provided pre-sliced, which is often known as “spiral-sliced.” Spiral-sliced refers to bone-in hams, which are inclined to retain extra taste and moisture than boneless hams, which typically tackle a little bit of a processed-ham feel and appear. Spiral-sliced hams usually include their very own glaze packet and whereas these are handy and style alright, please ditch them. Making your personal ham glaze will certainly amp up that pork. It’s a cinch and you may declare possession over that pretty hunk o’ meat.
One thing to recollect: Spiral-sliced, bone-in ham tends to dry out and “frill” within the oven greater than entire, unsliced bone-in ham. Masking yours with foil till the final 10 to twenty minutes of roasting will assist to maintain it from turning into pink leather-based. A spiral-sliced ham is your finest guess for those who’re frightened of standing in entrance of company making an attempt to gracefully hack your method across the bone come carving time.
Smoked
Most market hams have been smoked, which imbues the meat with something starting from barely perceptible to sock-you-in-your-mouth taste. Check out the label to see what sort of wooden chips had been used. Hickory goes to impart a extra pronounced and bolder smokiness than applewood. Each cooked and raw hams could be smoked, so be sure that to have a look at the label to resolve which you like.
A cooked, smoked ham could be eaten instantly and is ideal for sandwiches or an off-the-cuff dinner for those who don’t wish to spend time heating it, but it surely’s tremendous straightforward to heat up for those who’re aiming for a scorching dinner. An raw smoked ham will clearly state on the label that it must be “cooked totally,” simply in case you’re uncertain of what you’ve bought.
Glazed
A glazed ham is fairly self-explanatory: It’s a ham that has been pre-glazed. So, for those who’re holding a duplicate of our glazed ham recipe as you stand on the butcher counter, you then wish to purchase a ham that doesn’t already come injected or glazed with honey or maple. The explanation? You don’t need the flavors of the recipe that you simply’re going to slather everywhere in the outdoors of the ham competing with the flavour that’s already been injected into the ham. That would additionally get fairly rattling candy.
What about metropolis vs. nation ham?
For probably the most half, a metropolis ham is what as a ham. These are the moist, thick (usually spiral-cut) pre-cured hams that you simply serve through the holidays. Nation ham, then again, is well-liked in Appalachia, Virginia, and Tennessee. They’re served extra thinly sliced and are saltier and drier than a metropolis ham. In the event you’ve by no means ready one, remember that they’re much completely different than a median ham. Nation ham is scrumptious, belief us, if what you’re doing.
How a lot ham do you have to purchase?
Determine between 1/2 and three/4 pound per individual if it’s a bone-in ham. For a boneless ham, you’ll need about 1/3 pound per individual. And, natch, enable for extra for those who’re the kind who anticipates ham leftovers.
How far upfront can I purchase a vacation ham?
Most hams come shrink-wrapped in packaging in order that they’re protected to stash in your fridge, unopened, for a number of days. And, bear in mind, the ham you discover at your grocery retailer is most probably already cured or cooked by and easily requires warming.
Initially printed March 23, 2019
