Swedish Christmas Ham (Julskinka)

Description: The Swedish Christmas Ham, or Julskinka, is a cornerstone of the Scandinavian holiday feast. This succulent and aromatic dish, traditionally enjoyed on Christmas Eve, is a cherished recipe that turns the humble ham into a celebration of flavors. It’s the centerpiece of the Swedish ‘julbord’, a holiday buffet, and is sure to be a showstopper at your festive gathering.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Time: About 2 hours (depending on the size of the ham)

Inactive Time: Overnight (for soaking)

Servings: 10-15lb, depending on the size of the ham

Ingredients:

• 1 whole, bone-in, cured, and uncooked ham (5-7 kg/11-15 lbs)

• 2 onions, peeled

• 1 carrot

• 1 bay leaf

• 1 teaspoon whole allspice

• 1 teaspoon whole cloves

• 1 tablespoon black peppercorns

• For the glaze:

• 1 egg

• 2 tablespoons of mustard

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 1 tablespoon breadcrumbs

• Whole cloves (for studding the ham)

Instructions:

1. Place the ham in a large pot, cover it with cold water, and let it soak overnight to remove excess salt.

2. The next day, drain and refill the pot with fresh water. Add the onions, carrot, bay leaf, allspice, cloves, and peppercorns. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Allow the ham to cook for approximately 20 minutes per pound.

3. Once cooked, remove the ham from the pot and let it cool slightly. Reserve the cooking liquid for soups or stews if desired.

4. Preheat the oven to 225°F (107°C).

5. Carefully cut away the skin, leaving the fat layer intact. Score the fat in a diamond pattern, and stud the center of each diamond with a whole clove.

6. To make the glaze, beat the egg and mix with mustard and sugar. Brush the mixture over the fat layer, then sprinkle breadcrumbs on top.

7. Place the ham in the oven and bake until the glaze turns golden brown and crisp, about 15-20 minutes.

8. Let the ham rest before slicing. Serve warm or cold as part of your Christmas feast.

Notes to Make it Better:

• To enhance the flavor, add a bottle of dark beer to the cooking liquid.

• For a different twist on the glaze, try mixing mustard with honey or brown sugar.

• If you prefer, you can finish the ham under the broiler for a few minutes to crisp up the glaze.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 250-300 (Varies with serving size and fat content)

• Fat: 14-20g

• Sodium: 1.5-2g

• Carbohydrates: 1-2g

• Fiber: 0g

• Sugars: 1g

• Protein: 25-30g

The nutritional values can vary greatly based on the size of the serving and how much fat is trimmed from the ham.