Curing Ham

[Habanero Smoker]

Ham is a cut of pork, that comes from the leg (rear) of a pig, and is fresh meat that can be cooked fresh or cured first. In the supermarket you will commonly see cured hams. Around this time of year, as Easter draws near, you will see more fresh hams on display.

Speaking for myself; the recipes I use are more for flavor than for preservation. I do it because it gives some so satisfaction, and a lot of great food. To some degree, I can also control the flavor, and salt. If you want to cure hams for long term storage, you are looking at salt curing country hams, prosciutto etc.. They are the only types of cured hams that do not require refrigeration in their whole state.