Smithfield Spiral Hams

Virginia's Smithfield spiral hams, endorsed by Paula Deen are scrumptious because they are dry salt-cured.  Spiral ham is smoked for nearly a year, the step in the dry-curing process that preserves and flavors the ham.  Smithfield Spiral Hams are smoked with a goal of maximum flavor.  Americans have long enjoyed hickory-smoked ham.  Smithfield spiral hams are smoked with hickory, or sometimes with oak or apple woods. I like the distinctive flavor that each of these hardwoods gives.

You can buy dry cured hams and a spread of accompaniments--a whole meal in fact--from companies like Hickory Farms and Smithfield Hams.  The meats are sold fully cooked and ready-to-serve.  This is why these hams are a a great offering for almost any gathering.  Smithfield spiral ham is an example of a ham that is best served at room temperature.  Heating a spiral sliced ham such as a Smithfield can dry out the meat and cause any glaze to melt and run off.

The slicing process used for spiral sliced hams was patented in 1957 by Harry Hoenselaar.  The machine he invented cuts a ham in one continuous spiral slice.  This helps to keep the ham moist and reduces waste.  The makers of Smithfield spiral hams believe that paper-thin slices are best.

At the end of the ham's "life," the bone of a Smithfield spiral ham makes a fantastic ham and bean soup that you can freeze in meal-size portions (I use gallon zip-close bags) for winter use.  At Christmas I even share ham bean soup with my neighbors, when we exchange gifts.

I've been a registered dietitian for 25 years, and I use spiral sliced hams as part of a healthy diet.  Today's hams, such as the Smithfield spiral ham, are much leaner than the hams our grandparents and great-grandparents knew.  For this we can thank the science of livestock feed.  Fat is now a much lower part of a hog's body weight.  A ham such as a Smithfield spiral ham has a healthier balance of major nutrients. A 3oz portion of their glazed smoked ham has approximately 185 calories, 6 grams of fat (about 1/3 of it saturated), 45mg of cholesterol, and 18 g of protein.

Sodium in most processed hams remains high relative to other meats, so if you are on a special diet be sure to ask your dietitian or doctor about hams.

Ham and bean soup is where the real nutrition comes in. Use dried beans, especially a mix of your favorites, and a good recipe, remembering to pour the fat off the broth. Voila! You've got vitamin- and mineral-loaded, low fat, high fiber heaven.

Smithfield spiral hams, from the Smithfield collection, are listed on the "Virginia's Finest" member list, recognizing food and beverage products that are made or processed in the state of Virginia and that have earned Virginia's Finest trademark designation of quality.

Smithfield spiral hams are highly desirable for everyday use.  They are convenient and delicious.  For a tasty ready-to-serve ham, choose the Smithfield spiral ham.