To Boil Hams
Ingredients
Directions
Place the ham in a large pot of cold water.
Bring the water to a boil, then reduce to a slow boil.
Boil the ham for 4.5 hours, adjusting time for larger or smaller hams.
Skim the pot frequently while boiling.
After boiling, remove the skin carefully and save it.
Sprinkle the ham with breadcrumbs and cover it with the skin to keep it moist.
Transcribed from a scanned cookbook and modernised for today's kitchens. Where the book gave no heat or time, or said "a moderate oven", the temperatures and times here may be modern equivalents rather than the book's own figures.
Explore the science
What each ingredient does
- Ham
- Is the main cut that becomes tender and flavorful as it simmers slowly in water.
- Breadcrumbs (in the method)
- Sprinkled on the ham, they help the skin cover and keep the surface moist.
The step that matters
Maintain a slow boil for the full 4.5 hours. A rolling boil toughens the meat and can break the surface, while a gentle simmer cooks the ham evenly and keeps it juicy. Skimming removes foam that could cloud the cooking liquid.
“What each ingredient does” and “The step that matters” were written by Claude from this recipe’s own method and reviewed in samples by CompKitchen.
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