Does ham freeze well? (frozen, cooker, meals, gourmet)

[happygrrrl]

I was given a huge, spiral-cut ham. I only eat it ham now and then, but I definitely want the bone for soup. I was think of cutting it into smaller portions and putting each one into a gallon-size freezer bag. Also, this ham is very salty. Is there a way to reduce the saltiness? Thanks.

[elnina]

Depends how much water it contains. It freezes OK in vacuum pack.

Soaking the ham overnight in cold water reduces the salty flavor of the ham. Keep the ham submerged in water and refrigerated for 12 to 24 hours. Change the water that you are using to soak the ham every three to four hours to reduce the saltiness even more.

[Jkgourmet]

We do it ALL the time in big chunks (not sliced thin - I've never done that because I have a feeling it would dry out.

We use the chunks for soups, Mac and cheese, snacking etc

[Debsi]

I freeze ham slices after vacuum sealing, and there is no loss in quality. Perfect for fried ham and egg dinners.

[jlawrence01]

It has been a good year for spiral hams. I purchased two at $0.49/ lb and then, a friend gave me the bone from hers and a few pounds of ham. I generally use it for soups and a a flavoring agent so that teh salt is not that strong.

[Blondy]

Originally Posted by Jkgourmet

We do it ALL the time in big chunks (not sliced thin - I've never done that because I have a feeling it would dry out.

We use the chunks for soups, Mac and cheese, snacking etc

Actually, it freezes well thinly sliced also.

My mother used to buy a whole ham and have the butcher slice it paper thin (I think they called it picnic style...…..same as deli style).

She would divide it up and package it for sandwiches or sometimes she fried it with eggs.

It didn't dry out.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by happygrrrl

I was given a huge, spiral-cut ham. I only eat it ham now and then, but I definitely want the bone for soup. I was think of cutting it into smaller portions and putting each one into a gallon-size freezer bag. Also, this ham is very salty. Is there a way to reduce the saltiness? Thanks.

If it is frozen prior to cooking it keeps very well and doesn't lose its texture. It cooked first it can be a little stringy and not very good. We do eat it both ways and the consistency is not all that bad. It is frozen turkey I really do not cre for after cooking.

[mainebrokerman]

if I were going to cook a frozen spiral....id slice what ham I wanted off the bone and put meat in slow cooker with some glaze...

[cb at sea]

You know you can just BUY a ham bone for soup, right? We have a "Honeybaked Ham" store in town...get a huge bone with lots of meat....I just made enough bean soup for 4 meals. I'm sure most butchers, some grocery stores and certainly ham stores will sell bones!

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by cb at sea

You know you can just BUY a ham bone for soup, right? We have a "Honeybaked Ham" store in town...get a huge bone with lots of meat....I just made enough bean soup for 4 meals. I'm sure most butchers, some grocery stores and certainly ham stores will sell bones!

You can buy a ham bone at Honeybaked ... if you are willing to spend more for the bone than you can buy an entire ham at Kroger's. It is just not a good deal.