Cottage Ham

Submitted by charlie 5

"I grew up on the East coast and have fond memories of my Grandmother making the most delicious Cottage Ham and Cabbage. Cottage hams are virtually unheard of anymore, especially west of the Mississippi. After moving west, I searched high and low for a butcher that would sell me a Cottage Ham to no avail. Finally met someone that made them and he even told me how. This is unlike what most people think of when thinking of a ham. This ham ends being boiled with cabbage, onion, carrots and potatoes. It has a unique consistency. It sort of falls apart when cooked. Makes great sandwiches the following day. This is the technique for first making the Cottage Ham itself. Wish I could buy them still. Believe company in Chicago called Rose Packing handles different grades of them. Some have a lot of filler - yuck. If you live where Rose supplies Cottage Hams, get a good one. Makes my mouth water just thinking about them. Zaar won't allow the second ingredient to be properly listed. It's called Sweeter 'n Sweet. I did buy the Sweeter 'n Sweet at a local butcher. It's a sugary product used to make the brine."

 

• Ready In: 125hrs
• Ingredients: 3
• Yields: 1 ham

ingredients

• 1 pork butt (shoulder)
• 3 3⁄4 lbs seasoning
• 5 gallons water

directions

1. Choose a very lean pork butt and trim all remaining fat. Remove the bone and tie in a net.
2. Mix Sweeter 'n Sweet 3/4 lb to 1 gallon water. Make up 5 gallons. With a needle, inject this mixture into the pork until it is doubled in size. Soak in remaining cure for 5 days. Be sure it is weighted down if it floats.
3. Smoke at 135 degrees for 1 hour, then increase temperature to 180-185 degrees for 3-4 hours or until internal temperature of ham reaches 145 degrees.
4. See recipe for Cottage Ham and Cabbage for further cooking instructions.