Ingredients:
Cured with Salt, Sugar, Sodium Nitrate, Pepper and Sodium Nitrite.
Nutrition Facts
Serv. Size: 3 oz(84g), Amount Per Serving: Calories 140, Fat Cal. 60, Total Fat 6g (9% DV), Sat. Fat 2g (11% DV) Trans Fat 0g, Cholesterol 70mg (23% DV), Sodium 2500mg (104% DV), Total Carb. 0g (0% DV), *Dietary Fiber 0g (0%DV), Sugars 0g, Protein 20g, Vitamin A (0% DV), Vitamin C (2% DV), Calcium (0% DV), Iron (6% DV).
*Not a significant source of Dietary Fiber, Sugars, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Calcium
Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
UPON RECEIPT:
Your ham (in a traditional cloth sack) will ship in a sturdy corrugated box. Because of the unique salt curing process, ice packs or dry ice are not required for shipment. Please store in a cool dry area.
STORAGE:
Uncooked hams may be safely stored hanging in a cool dry area without refrigeration, and kept for up to 6 months without deterioration or loss of quality. Surface mold is common on uncooked salt cured hams and can be scrubbed off prior to the cooking process.
COOKING:
Preparation prior to cooking - Uncooked Country hams require soaking before cooking since these hams are salt cured. The length of soaking time should be influenced by your taste for salt (longer soaking results in a milder ham). Country Hams have a shorter curing period and are considered milder than Genuine Smithfield Hams, but will still be salty and dry by nature. Soak Country Hams 24 hours or longer. Changing the water every several hours during soaking will aid in drawing salt from the ham. After soaking, wash ham thoroughly in warm water. Use a stiff brush to scrub ham thoroughly and remove all pepper and surface mold, if present. Mold is a common and natural occurrence on aged hams (just like fine aged cheeses), denotes proper curing, and does not affect the taste or quality.
Oven Cooking - Wrap in heavy duty aluminum foil, forming a vessel with the bottom layer. Place in a large roasting pan for support. Add 4 to 5 cups of water within the foil and carefully join the edges of the aluminum foil making sure the edges are closed. Preheat oven to 300°F and bake approximately 3 hours or 20 minutes per pound. Using a meat thermometer, check for a 163°F internal temperature in the thickest part of the ham. Remove ham from oven when correct internal temperature is reached and let cool to room temperature for one hour. Remove skin and fat as desired.
Water Cooking – Place ham skin-side down in a roasting pan large enough to cover ham and fill with cool water. Bring water to 190°F (not quite simmering). Cook to 163°F degrees internal temperature (or about 25 minutes per pound), adding water to keep ham covered. Remove ham from water when correct internal temperature is reached and let cool to room temperature for one hour. Remove skin and fat as desired.
GLAZING & SEASONING:
If a sweet coating is desired, sprinkle the fat side with brown sugar and bread crumbs and bake in a 400°F oven until brown (approximately 15 minutes). Or to add your personal glaze choice, please follow the recipe or manufacturer's instructions for glaze preparation. No further seasoning is recommended.
CARVING:
With ham on a flat surface, dressed side up, begin about two inches from the hock (or small end) and make the first cut straight down through to the bone. For each succeeding cut, slant the knife slightly and cut thinly towards the first straight cut (in the direction of the hock). Continue slicing thinly down to and partially around the bone. Decrease slant as the slices become larger, while keeping the slices thin. Eventually the bone formation will cause you to cut smaller slices at different angles. The key is to keep the slices thin! Be sure to keep the bone and remaining meat for seasoning.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
Best served as the focus of a buffet, carving station, or pre-sliced for ease of serving. A savory complement to a poultry or seafood entrée. Perfect for biscuits, or chopped for salads and omelets. Use the bone and leftovers to season soups, beans, or vegetables. Delicious for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
