Traditional Ham Cabbage Food

SKILLET HAM, CABBAGE AND POTATOES

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium heat, saute onions in the margarine. When tender add cabbage and stir. Pour water over, cover and simmer gently on medium low for ten minutes.
• Add potatoes and mix. Cover again and allow to simmer for ten more minutes. Additional water may be needed. Sprinkle seasoning salt and paprika over cabbage and potatoes. Allow to simmer covered for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until cabbage is soft and potatoes are nearly cooked. Mix ham in and finish cooking until ham is hot and potatoes are done.

HAM AND CABBAGE

Steps:

• If you are using a Porkette, remove it from the red packaging and remove the cloth netting from the meat. Cut the porkette into three equal pieces.
• If you are using a ham steak, make a few small cuts around the edge of the ham steak to prevent it from curling up while it cooks.
• Place the meat in a large stock pot and cover with water.
• Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Remove the meat from the cooking liquid, RESERVE THE COOKING LIQUID AND SET ASIDE.
• Cut the meat into 1 inch pieces and set aside.
• In the stockpot, sauté the onion and carrot in the olive oil for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds or until garlic is fragrant.
• Add the chopped ham, cabbage, potatoes, thyme, pepper, and one cup of the reserved cooking liquid, stirring well to combine.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. I find that once the mixture starts cooking, the cabbage releases enough liquid for the mixture to simmer, but if things look too dry to you, you can add more of the reserved cooking liquid. Just don't add too much - it's not a soup.
• Remove one cup of the mixture and purée in a blender. Return the purée to the pot with the rest of the mixture, stirring well to combine (I use a stick blender, and puree a small amount of the stew right in the pot).
• Porkette and ham are salty, and I don't ever need to add more salt. If you do decide to add salt, taste the mixture first, because there is a good chance you will over-salt it if you don't.

BEST BOILED HAM AND CABBAGE

Steps:

• Remove the ham from its wrappings. Cut off the skin and make sure you remove the plastic thing that covers the end of the bone.
• Stud the ham with the whole cloves, distributing them evenly over the surface.
• Put ham and onions into a very large pot and cover with COLD water. Its important to use cold water because it draws the excess salt out of the meat and makes a more flavorful broth.
• Bring to a boil slowly over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.
• Add all the veggies except the cabbage. Raise heat and bring to a boil again. Reduce heat and simmer another 15 minutes or until the largest potatoes are nearly cooked.
• Add the cabbage wedges. Raise heat and bring to a boil. Simmer another 10-20 minutes until cabbage is cooked but not mushy.
• Use a large, slotted, serving spoon to remove all the veggies to a large serving dish.
• Lift ham onto a platter and carve off a suitable number of servings for the meal.
• Serve each person a slice of ham and a portion of each vegetable. Grind black pepper over the plate and offer butter for the potatoes and other roots if desired.