National Glazed Spiral Ham Day is celebrated on April 15th each year, and it’s a day to celebrate the delicious and succulent spiral ham. Spiral ham is a popular dish during the holiday season, but it’s also great for any occasion. A glazed spiral ham is typically cooked slowly in the oven and then glazed with a mixture of brown sugar, honey, and spices, giving it a sweet and savory flavor. On National Glazed Spiral Ham Day, you can enjoy this mouth-watering dish with family and friends and celebrate one of the most delicious hams around.

Glazed spiral ham has been a popular dish for many centuries. The earliest record of a glazed ham dates back to the 16th century, when German settlers in the United States were known to prepare a smoked ham that was glazed with a mixture of sugar, molasses, and spices. This type of ham was typically served as a Christmas or Easter dish.

In the early 19th century, the ham glaze was refined and adopted by American cooks. By this time, the glaze typically included brown sugar, honey, spices, and a citrus juice. This glazed ham was often served as a centerpiece dish for special occasions.

In the 1950s, the modern version of glazed spiral ham was developed. This type of ham is prepared by wrapping a precooked ham in a spiral shape and baking it while glazing it with a mixture of sugar, spices, and pineapple or orange juice. This type of ham is still popular today and is often served as a holiday dish. The spiral cut was invented by a butcher in Holland. In the United States, spiral-cut hams became popular in the 1980s and 1990s, and they are now a staple of American cuisine.

It is estimated that 5 million glazed spiral hams are consumed in the USA each year, and an estimated 10 million glazed spiral hams are consumed globally each year.

 

Here are some other fun facts about glazed spiral ham:

• Spiral hams are made from the hind leg of the pig, which is known for its tender and flavorful meat.
• The spiral cut of the ham makes it easy to serve and is perfect for sandwiches or leftovers.
• The glaze on the ham typically includes a mixture of brown sugar, honey, spices, and sometimes even fruit juice, giving it a sweet and savory flavor.
• Glazed spiral ham is a popular dish during the holiday season, particularly for Easter and Christmas.
• Spiral hams can weigh up to 20 pounds and can feed a large crowd.

 

The earliest known recipe for Glazed Spiral Ham was published in The Kentucky Housewife, a cookbook written by Lettice Bryan and published in 1839.

Recipe for Glazed Spiral Ham

Ingredients:

1 (10- to 12-pound) cooked spiral-sliced ham

¾ cup packed light brown sugar

¼ cup honey

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

 

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Place the ham on a roasting rack in a roasting pan.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, honey, mustard, and maple syrup until smooth.
4. Brush the glaze generously all over the ham.
5. Bake the ham for 45 minutes, until it is heated through and the glaze is bubbling.
6. Baste the ham with the glaze every 15 minutes.
7. Let the ham rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

 

Spiral Cut ham reminds me of the holidays, so I assume that the reason we celebrate this day is to align with Easter. Regardless, it is something I can eat much more frequently, but I don’t. Let me know how often you enjoy a nice spiral cut ham?