I may have to soak my Easter Ham
By snowy
@snowy22315 (170128)
United States
March 29, 2024 11:12am CST
Itrecently got the opportunity to get a ham for a pittance. I didn't really notice at the time that the brand was Old Country. I don't know if you know about country ham, but it is super salty. I think it is horrible, but some must like it, as they still sell it.Anyway, apparently soaking will get rid of the excess salt content. I would rather avoid it, but I sure don't want a salty ham! I am hoping it is just a brand name, and isn't, a real country ham, but I suspect it is..sigh!
10 people like this
10 responses
@MarieCoyle (28718)
•
29 Mar
I was gifted one of those country ''hanging hams''last fall, from a Kentucky friend. They are the saltiest hams I have ever tasted. The ham came with a little tag that said if you do not want your ham as salty, to put it in a huge bowl or pan that it can be completely covered with water, cover, and keep cool 24 hours. Rinse in cold water, and pat it dry to remove any excess salt before you bake it.
She has brought me a hanging ham before, this is the first time I have had a tag come with it. It did help a lot. The ham was sooooo good. 
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (170128)
• United States
29 Mar
Thanks..good thing you got the tag.I think the reason they make some of this so salty is it is good to flavor collards and black eyed peas and such. As far as I know it's just a Southern thing with those extra salty hams.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (28718)
•
29 Mar
@snowy22315
Salt is/was used as one of the ways to help preserve the hanging hams without refrigerating them. Smoking hams is/was also popular, most often they use salt for the smoked meats as well. You're no doubt right, many use the outside rinds, etc. to season beans and such.
2 people like this
@kareng (54891)
• United States
30 Mar
@snowy22315 Probably used as a cheap way to preserve it. That's what they used in the "old" days to preserve meats.
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@Ghostlady (355)
• United States
30 Mar
I LOVE Country Ham with red eye gravy. Grew up in KY. I see slices of it in the grocery stores down here, but have not seen any whole hams...not that I would buy one. Just Tom and I here it would go to waste. But haven't bought any slices in a while...might just have to get some.
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@snowy22315 (170128)
• United States
30 Mar
This isn't a a whole ham. I never had red eye gravy. What's in it?
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@snowy22315 (170128)
• United States
30 Mar
@Ghostlady Sounds good .where does the Red eye part come from?
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@Ghostlady (355)
• United States
30 Mar
@snowy22315 you fry up a thick slice of country ham, then mix the ham drippings with strongly brewed black coffee to deglaze the pan. The mixture is then simmered for several minutes, reducing down to a dark brown gravy.
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@snowy22315 (170128)
• United States
3 Apr
It was fine. The brand name threw me.
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@snowy22315 (170128)
• United States
29 Mar
@LadyDuck Yeah, that is a method. I will find out tomorrow if the soaking needs to be done. I hadn't in the freezer and have to thaw it out first.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458458)
• Switzerland
29 Mar
@snowy22315 For cured meats that needed to be boiled (like the cotechino), I pre-boiled, threw the first water and boiled in clean water again, it removed most of the unwanted salt.
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@snowy22315 (170128)
• United States
29 Mar
Like I said, they are more for seasoning than eaten as is.
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@sallypup (57978)
• Centralia, Washington
29 Mar
@snowy22315 True. I haven't seasoned anything with ham in years.
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@LindaOHio (156488)
• United States
30 Mar
We don't like salty ham either. I heard that if you soak it in ginger ale it comes out really good. I hope it's edible for you. Have a good weekend.
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@snowy22315 (170128)
• United States
2 Apr
I might try the ginger ale thing some time. I needn't have worried, the ham was "normal."
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (170128)
• United States
2 Apr
@LindaOHio Yes, with something that lasts as long as a ham you want it to be good.
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@LindaOHio (156488)
• United States
2 Apr
@snowy22315 I'm glad the ham was good.
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@Marilynda1225 (79804)
• United States
29 Mar
I never heard of soaking a ham to get rid of excess salt but it makes sense. Ham is salty enough on it's own. Hope your ham isn't too salty for you to enjoy
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@snowy22315 (170128)
• United States
30 Mar
It is more like half a ham. I inspected it. It looks normal so I think it will be OK..plus it comes from New York so it should be fine
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@snowy22315 (170128)
• United States
29 Mar
I will do whatever works. Maybe it won't be necessary. I will try a small piece tomorrow and render a verdict.
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