Holiday Ham

Jamaican Holiday Ham Recipe with Pineapple, Cloves, and Cherries

Region / culture: Jamaica | Preparation time: 24 hours | Cooking time: 1.5 hour | Servings: 10

Introduction

Holiday ham is a classic dish that is often enjoyed during festive occasions such as Christmas and Easter. This recipe features a delicious glaze made with brown sugar and pineapple, giving the ham a sweet and savory flavor that is sure to impress your guests.

History

The tradition of serving ham during the holidays dates back centuries, with ham being a popular choice for celebratory meals in many cultures around the world. In the United States, holiday ham has become a staple dish for Christmas and Easter dinners, often served alongside other festive dishes such as mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce.

Ingredients

1 cured ham (10 - 12 lb or 5.44 kg)
0.75 cup brown sugar
1 tin pineapple slices
cloves
cherries

Ham curing

1 ten pound leg of pork
1 lb or 454 g salt
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp saltpeter
pinch mixed spice
pinch nutmeg
1 qt or 946 ml boiled water (cooled)

How to prepare

Soak the home-cured ham overnight in enough water to cover it and remove excess salt.
Place the ham in a large pot or pan with cold water and bring it to a boil.
Simmer the ham for 2 hours.
Allow the ham to cool in the same water.
Remove the ham from the water and take off the skin.
Alternatively, you can use store-bought cured or smoked ham. Soak it overnight in pineapple juice instead of water. There is no need to boil the ham since it is already precooked. You can also add a little ginger and garlic to the pineapple juice for extra flavor.
Score the ham by cutting through the fat with a sharp knife to create a diamond pattern. The cuts should not be more than 0.25" deep into the lean part of the ham.
Insert a clove into each diamond.
In a saucepan, blend the liquid from the pineapple slices with the sugar. You can also use the pineapple juice mixture mentioned in step 6. Natural brown sugar is preferable to white granulated sugar. Alternatively, you can use honey instead of sugar. For an extra kick, you can add a little "hot" sauce to the mixture, but make sure it has good flavor.
Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it boils and forms a glaze.
Pour the glaze over the ham, reserving enough to baste the ham throughout the cooking time.
Garnish the ham with pineapple slices and cherries. This should be done half an hour before the end of the cooking time, also pouring some of the glaze over the garnish.
Place the ham in an oven and bake at 300°F (149°C) for 1.5 hours, or until it is done, basting it with the drippings from the pan.

Ham curing

Add sugar and saltpeter to salt and mix thoroughly.
Divide the salt mixture into two parts.
Mix one half of the salt mixture in boiled water.
Add a pinch of spice and nutmeg to the other half of the salt mixture.
Divide the remaining salt mixture into two parts.
Set aside one part to be used after the fifth day and rub the remaining half into the pork.
Rub the salt mixture thoroughly into the skin and the fleshy part of the pork (use all of the salt).
Using an injector, inject the meat with the liquid five times, twice in the knuckle part and three times into the fleshy part.
Wrap the meat in two layers of greased paper and several layers of newspaper, and tie it securely.
Ensure that the ham is well tied to maintain its shape.
After five days, open the wrapping and rub in the remaining salt mixture.
Leave the ham to cure for five or six weeks.
Smoke the ham slightly.

Variations

Instead of using brown sugar, you can use honey or maple syrup to make the glaze.
Add spices such as cinnamon, cloves, or allspice to the glaze for a more complex flavor.
For a smoky flavor, you can use smoked ham instead of cured ham.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Soaking the ham overnight in water helps to remove excess salt and ensure that the ham is not too salty.

- Boiling the ham before baking helps to tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor.

- Scoring the ham and inserting cloves not only adds flavor but also creates an attractive diamond pattern on the surface of the ham.

- Basting the ham with the glaze throughout the cooking process helps to keep the meat moist and flavorful.

- Garnishing the ham with pineapple slices and cherries adds a festive touch to the dish.

Serving Suggestions

Holiday ham can be served with a variety of side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, green beans, roasted vegetables, and dinner rolls. It pairs well with cranberry sauce, mustard, or a tangy barbecue sauce.

Cooking Techniques

Boiling the ham before baking helps to tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor.

- Basting the ham with the glaze throughout the cooking process helps to keep the meat moist and flavorful.

- Garnishing the ham with pineapple slices and cherries adds a festive touch to the dish.

Ingredient Substitutions

Instead of brown sugar, you can use honey or maple syrup to make the glaze.

- If you don't have cloves, you can use ground cloves or other spices such as cinnamon or allspice.

- For a different flavor profile, you can use different fruits such as oranges or peaches in the glaze.

Make Ahead Tips

Holiday ham can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to bake. You can also make the glaze ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Presentation Ideas

To make your holiday ham look even more festive, you can garnish it with fresh herbs such as parsley or rosemary. You can also arrange the pineapple slices and cherries in a decorative pattern on top of the ham.

Pairing Recommendations

Holiday ham pairs well with a variety of side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, green beans, roasted vegetables, and dinner rolls. It also goes well with cranberry sauce, mustard, or a tangy barbecue sauce.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Leftover holiday ham can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, place the ham in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake in a preheated oven at 325°F (163°C) until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of holiday ham contains approximately 350 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of holiday ham contains approximately 10 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of holiday ham contains approximately 20 grams of fat.

Proteins

Each serving of holiday ham contains approximately 30 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

Holiday ham is a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, zinc, and selenium.

Alergens

Holiday ham may contain allergens such as pork and pineapple. It is important to check for any allergens before consuming this dish.

Summary

Holiday ham is a delicious and festive dish that is rich in protein and essential nutrients. While it is high in fat and calories, it can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Summary

Holiday ham is a classic dish that is perfect for festive occasions such as Christmas and Easter. This recipe features a delicious glaze made with brown sugar and pineapple, giving the ham a sweet and savory flavor that is sure to impress your guests. Enjoy this dish with your favorite side dishes for a memorable holiday meal.

How did I get this recipe?

I recall the feeling of curiosity that overcame me when I found this recipe for Holiday Ham. It was tucked away in an old, worn recipe book that had been passed down to me from my own grandmother. The pages were yellowed with age, and the ink was faded, but the words were still clear as day.

I remember sitting at the kitchen table, poring over the ingredients and instructions, feeling a sense of excitement bubbling up inside me. I had always loved cooking, and the thought of making a delicious holiday ham for my family filled me with joy.

As I read through the recipe, I couldn't help but wonder where it had come from. Did my grandmother create it herself, or had she learned it from someone else? I knew that she had a talent for cooking and had picked up recipes from all over the place - friends, neighbors, cookbooks, and even television shows.

I decided then and there that I would make the holiday ham for our next family gathering. I gathered all the ingredients I needed - a large ham, brown sugar, mustard, cloves, pineapple, and maraschino cherries - and got to work.

The first step was to score the ham, creating a diamond pattern with a sharp knife. This would allow the glaze to seep into the meat and infuse it with flavor. Next, I mixed together the brown sugar, mustard, and cloves to create a sweet and tangy glaze.

I carefully brushed the glaze over the ham, making sure to cover every inch. Then, I decorated it with slices of pineapple and cherries, securing them with toothpicks. The ham looked beautiful, glistening in the light with its golden glaze and colorful fruit.

As I popped it into the oven to bake, the sweet aroma filled the kitchen, making my mouth water in anticipation. I couldn't wait to share this delicious dish with my family and see their reactions.

When the ham was finally done, I brought it to the table with a sense of pride. My family's eyes lit up with delight as they saw the beautifully glazed ham sitting in front of them. They eagerly dug in, savoring the sweet and savory flavors that filled their mouths.

As we ate, I told them the story of how I had found the recipe and my journey to make it for them. They listened intently, nodding their heads in approval as they tasted the delicious dish I had prepared.

From that day on, the holiday ham became a staple at our family gatherings. It was a recipe that brought us together, creating memories that would last a lifetime.

And as I sit here now, reflecting on that moment and the countless others that followed, I can't help but smile. Cooking has always been a passion of mine, and I am grateful for the recipes and techniques that have been passed down through the generations.

So, if you ever find yourself feeling curious about a recipe or a dish, I urge you to embrace that curiosity and dive in headfirst. You never know what delicious creations you may discover along the way. Happy cooking!