Apple Butter Glazed Ham

Chuck Hughes’ deliciously sweet apple butter and honey glazed ham is so delectable you’ll want it for dessert too!

Easy, Moderate, Complex

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 5 hours 45 minutes

Inactive Prep time: 15 minutes

Yields: 8 to 10 servings

Ingredients

• APPLE BUTTER
  • 5 pounds of Macintosh apples, scrubbed and quartered (not peeled)
  • 4 cups apple juice (1 l)
  • 2 cups brown sugar (500 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (5 ml)
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg (2 ml)
  • Juice of 1 lemon
• GLAZED HAM
  • 1 – 10 pound ham
  • 1 carrot, chopped
  • 1 celery stalk, chopped
  • 1 leek, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 garlic head, halved
  • 1 cup apple butter (250 ml)
  • 1/2 cup honey (125 ml)
  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard (60 ml)
  • 4 cups water (1 l)

Method

1. For the apple butter: In a large stockpot, combine the apples with the apple juice.  Cook on low heat until the apples are tender, about 45 minutes. Remove from heat and pass through a fine sieve.  Pour the puree back in the stockpot.  Bring to a simmer and add the remaining ingredients; brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon juice. Cook on low heat for about 1 ½ hours until it’s reduced by half and thickens up, stirring regularly and skimming the surface if necessary.  Remove from heat and let cool.
2. For the ham: Put the ham and the vegetables in a large stockpot and cover with water.  Bring to a boil and let simmer for 2 hours.  Drain and place into a roasting pan.
3. Preheat oven at 350 ˚F (180 ˚C).
4. In a bowl, combine apple butter, honey and Dijon mustard. Peel off the skin of the ham and brush it with apple butter mixture. Pour water in the bottom of the pan.  Place in the oven and cook for 1 1/2 hours, making sure to baste it with sauce every 15 minutes during cooking process.   Remove ham from grill and let sit for 10 minutes before carving.

Cook’s note: The apple butter is great on it’s own, with ice cream, yoghurt or for breakfast.