Our whole nitrate-free boneless ham weighs between 10-15 lbs. and is free of all nitrates, even those "naturally" occurring in tricky additives like celery powder.
This nitrate-free boneless whole ham contains only salt, brown sugar, and water. It is also darker in color because of the complete lack of nitrates.
Although smoked, this is not a cooked product; you'll want to cook it to an internal temperature of 145 degrees, as per the guidelines set by the USDA. Easy to bake it whole in the oven; cover it to retain the moisture and keep an eye on the internal temperature so it doesn't dry out. Many people add broth or water in the base of the roasting pan to help "steam" the ham or add moisture-rich sweet foods to the exterior, such as pineapple rings.
HOW TO ROAST A HAM WITH A GLAZE
Serving Size- 1/2 lb. boneless ham per person
Your Lilac Hedge Farm ham has not been pre-cooked.
The easiest way to cook a ham is to bake it in the oven. To bake your ham, pour half the glaze over the top, cover it with foil, then bake. At the end of the baking time, uncover the ham and pour the remaining glaze over the top. Bake until the glaze is caramelized, then serve.
It takes approximately 18-20 minutes per pound to bake a whole 10-15 lb. ham in the oven at 325 degrees F. Plan on 22-25 minutes per pound for a 5-7 lb. half ham. Use a thermometer to confirm that your ham is cooked to the proper temperature and is safe to eat. The thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham should register 145 degrees F. Rest the ham for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
OUR FAVORITE GLAZE
Melt 1/2 cup of butter with 1 cup brown sugar. Add 1/2 cup orange juice, zest of one orange, 1 tsp cinnamon and a pinch of ground cloves. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until thickened, then pour over the ham.
Perfectly cooked and rested citrus, butter, and brown sugar glazed ham ready for the big meal.
