Country Style Steamship Ham

Recipe Information

- Prep Time: 12 Days
- Cook Time: Varies
- Servings: Varies

Description

Aside from cooking an entire pig as a roast over a pit, this cut of ham is exceptional for its impressive presentation. It serves as a stunning centerpiece at family gatherings or larger parties, especially during the holiday season. With the shank bone frenched and exposed, it creates a perfect handle for carving. This ham is very lean yet full of flavor, especially when you follow this recipe. If you're interested in learning more about the science behind the perfect ham, consider reading the Book of Ham to make the best ham you and your guests have ever tasted.

Ingredients

- 1 Steamship cut of ham, skin removed
- 3 gallons water
- Pink curing salt
- 3 cups salt
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1 cup pickling spice
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 tablespoon maple extract
- Maple-Dijon glaze

Instructions

Prepping the ham

Step 1: Remove the skin from the cut of pork, make sure the leg is frenched and cleaned up so as it cooks the meat pulls back correctly exposing the bone.

Brining + Smoking

Step 1: To make the cure/brine add all the ingredients (besides pork, curing salt, and glaze) to the 3 gallons of water.

Step 2: Next, add the curing salt. The curing salt is situational on how much you need, depending on the size of your cut of pork. Follow the instructions on the curing salt you are usin,g depending on the weight of the pork cut with the skin removed. This particular recipe calls for about ½ a cup per gallon of water; make sure to follow the brine instructions not the ground meat instructions.

Step 3: Let the pork cure into ham. Common curing is about 1 day for every two pounds. (This Steamship was 24 pounds so it cured in the fridge for 12 days before we smoked it.) Be sure to use a large food-safe container and make sure the pork is submerged in the water. This process is important; it's what will turn your steamship roast into a ham. Without curing, it will simply be a giant roasted pork leg.

Step 4: Once cured appropriately, remove from the liquid and part dry.

Step 5: Let it rest outside the refrigerator for about an hour before you begin to cook it, allowing it to warm up a bit.

Step 6: Preheat your pellet grill to 425°F. While it preheats and you let your ham warm up, score the ham and give it those glorious diamond-patterned cross-hatches.

Step 7: Let it smoke for about 30 minutes to get a good sear on the outside.

Step 8: Turn down the smoker to 200°F and let the ham cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 150°F.

Step 9: Glaze the ham. Try using a Maple-Dijon glaze, it complements the ham perfectly. Close the smoker back up and let the ham reach 155°F

Step 10: After you've reached temp, pull it out of the grill and let it rest for a minimum of 30 minutes.

Chef's Note: This type of ham varies in cook time. A general rule of thumb is to plan to cook it for 15 to 20 minutes per pound. The best practice is to cook to temperature, not time. The final internal temperature of this ham should be 155°F.