Originally, American style “country ham” meant a large chunk of pork meat that was dry-cured for preservation. It was hard and salty, but it would keep in cold cellars for long periods of time, and it made a wonderful winter meal after being rehydrated in water to remove the salt and reconstitute prior to cooking. Today, this Glazed Virginia Smithfield Country Ham recipe carries on that, now centuries old, American tradition. The meal which was a favorite dish of one of the USA’s founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson.
This marvelous and authentically American, Glazed Virginia Smithfield Country Ham entree, is now a favorite meal to serve on holidays, Sunday dinners, and other very special occasions.
Glazed Virginia Smithfield Country Ham Recipe-
Ingredients:
- 1) spiral-sliced Virginia Smithfield Hickory Smoked Country ham (absolutely no substitutes! It has to be Virginia Smithfield Country Ham, no other ham will do this entree justice)
- 1) 20 oz. can pineapple slices, juice reserved
- 15 to 20 whole cloves
- 1) small jar maraschino cherries
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
Directions:
- Preheat the oven as directed on the ham package and follow the instructions for baking the ham (actually reheating – the Smithfield Hickory Smoked Ham is already cooked). Remove the ham from the oven about 30 minutes before the end of the warming time.
- Decoratively arrange the pineapple slices on top of the ham, securing them with whole cloves. Place a cherry in the center of each pineapple ring and secure with a clove or toothpick.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, mustard and just enough of the reserved pineapple juice to make a thick glaze. Spoon the glaze over the ham and bake in the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes.
- Remove the ham from the oven, transfer to a cutting board, and allow to cool a bit.
- Carve and serve your Glazed Virginia Smithfield Country Ham while still nice and warm.