How to Make Filipino-Style Pineapple Glazed Holiday Ham
It’s December! I assume you guys are already preparing for the holidays– putting up lights and decor, shopping for your loved ones, and making plans for Christmas Eve and New Years. But if you were in the Philippines, you’re already three months late! In the Philippines, the Christmas Season starts on September 1, the beginning of the ber months.
Part of our traditional Christmas Eve feast, called Noche Buena, is the ham. It’s not just any ordinary ham (because let’s face it, when are Filipinos ever ordinary?), but pineapple glazed ham topped with pineapple and cherries. This special ham is always well received by everyone. It’s the perfect sweet and salty roast with some tang thanks to pineapple!
Ingredients:
✔︎ 8 lbs fully cooked bone in smoked ham
✔︎ 8 cups pineapple juice
✔︎ 1 whole fresh pineapple (or 1 can pineapple slices)
✔︎ 3 cups Sprite or 7-up
✔︎ 5 to 10 maraschino cherries
✔︎ 2 cups brown sugar
✔︎ 1 tbsp butter
✔︎ 1/2 cup water
✔︎ 20 cloves (optional)
Cooking Procedures:
1.Preheat oven to 400°F.
Prepare a roasting pan with rack or baking tray.
2. Prepare Glaze: In a stockpot, pour pineapple juice, 1 cup brown sugar, and Sprite or 7 up. Bring to boil over medium heat; stirring occasionally, about 5–10 minutes or until syrupy.
3. If your ham has skin, peel off.
Trim fat layer to 1/4 in. thickness.
4. (Optional) Diagonally score fat to form diamond pattern. Place cloves at the intersection points of the cuts to form a nice pattern around the top and sides of ham.
5. Prepare Caramelized Pineapple & Cherries: In a skillet, brown pineapple and cherries in about 1 tbsp. butter over medium heat, turning occasionally, until caramelized. Set aside.
6. Cover the ham with heavy-duty foil.
Put in the oven for about 30 minutes.
7.Remove ham from oven and baste with glaze. Cover and bake again, basting every 30 minutes. Your ham will need to cook about 10 minutes per pound.
8. Once you’re done baking, top ham with caramelized pineapple and cherries, putting them in place with toothpicks.
9. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving.
This dish will surely make your guests ooh and aah at the dinner table!
(Sources: My mom, Manang, Filipino Recipe Site, Cooking With Sugar)
