Ham Defined
Understand the differences among ham varieties.

Fresh Ham is essentially a large joint of fresh pork, neither cured nor smoked. (Our fresh ham with green herb paste makes a magnificent presentation.)

Fully Cooked Ham is cured -- either with a dry salt rub or in a wet brine -- and most often, smoked. While this type of ham is delicious as is, it benefits enormously from a few more hours in the oven with a sweetened glaze and sugar rub. For the best flavor, avoid hams whose labels read "ham, water added" or "ham and water product."

Country Ham is also called a Virginia, Tennessee, or Kentucky ham; the best-known version is the Smithfield ham from Virginia. It is dry-cured, smoked, and aged during a period that can range from a few months to more than a year. Because it is so heavily salted, it requires a long soaking and simmering process before baking. Even so, the meat retains much of its powerfully salty flavor, and is something of an acquired taste. Unless you live in the South, this type of ham is not available in supermarkets and must be mail-ordered.

Storing
Fully cooked ham can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 1 week in its original packaging. Freezing ham is not recommended; the quality and flavor deteriorate quickly. After it has been baked, it keeps in the refrigerator for an additional 7 to 10 days.

Baked Ham Do's and Don'ts

Do line your roasting pan with aluminum foil to prevent a difficult scouring job.
Do leave the rind on during the first 2 hours of cooking: It allows the layer of fat underneath to slowly baste and flavor the meat during cooking.
Do use a sharp knife with a long, thin blade for carving.
Do invite a lot of people over when making a ham; a 16-pound ham can feed 18 to 20 people (estimate about 3/4 pound per person for a bone-in ham and 1/2 pound for boneless).
Don't coat the ham with sugar until the last hour of cooking, or it will burn.
Don't baste the ham with the drippings from the pan; use extra glaze instead.
Don't throw out the ham bone. Use it instead of a ham hock to flavor split-pea soup or bean dishes.
Don't forget that ham has only 140 calories in a 3-ounce serving.