Food waste is a huge problem, but you can make a difference in your own kitchen.
Knowing how long you can keep leftovers and how to store them is the first step,
and it'll go a long way into making the most of your food budget. Now, let's talk ham.
Ham is often a traditional food served for Easter,
Christmas, and other big-name sort of holidays. Surprisingly, this
is a pretty old tradition that has less to do with religion and more to do with practicality.
"The Farmers' Almanac" shares a bit about the history of this food,
noting that spring once marked a time to use the last of the cured meats from the previous fall,
making way for the new greens of springtime.
In modern times, a giant roasted and smoked ham is still an Easter favorite,
and with that favorite comes leftovers reminiscent of the overwhelming ordeal
of a Thanksgiving turkey. Thankfully, there is no shortage of preparations
for leftover meat — but how much ham can one household eat before it goes bad?
The answer to how long you should keep leftover ham is surprisingly tricky.
It differs in part based on how the ham was cooked and how
it is being stored. Do any of that wrong, and you'll risk becoming sick:
The USDA cautions against improper storage and consumption of ham to prevent common
foodborne pathogens. Fortunately, the USDA also provides some storage guidelines on leftover ham.
Fresh, cooked ham that is uncured can last in your
refrigerator for three to four days and your freezer for three to four months.
Cured ham that you cook at home (like on Easter) can last in the
fridge for three to five days and the freezer for one to two months.
Spiral-cut ham leftover from your home cooking is also good in the
fridge for three to five days and in the freezer for one to two months.
A cooked "country" ham can last in the fridge even longer at around seven days;
in the freezer, it will be good for one to two months.
Cured items like Serrano ham or prosciutto can be refrigerated
for between two and three months, making these the longest lasting ham variety in your fridge.
While these tips are perfect for keeping your leftover ham fresh for the next few days or
weeks, you obviously can't keep it forever. While you don't want to risk tossing out
a perfectly good ham based on the suggested best-by date alone, you don't want to get sick
either. So, what are the other warning signs that your ham may not be fresh enough to eat?
There are a few clear signs you should look for before tossing out your ham.
Expired ham can give off a rotten, sulfur-like smell
or have blotches of greenish-gray or brown spots across the meat. The most noticeable
warning sign is the presence of mold, which means you should not only get rid of the ham,
but also anything that came into contact with it to avoid consuming cross-contaminated food.
A slimy or sticky texture is a tell-tale sign that your ham is better off in the trash.
"No!" "Hey….!" "When will she ever learn?"
While these are all alarming signs to take note of, certain types of ham — such as country hams
and salami — may have an unpleasant smell and/or mold growth due to the dry curing process,
yet they can still be safe to eat. If you want to eat these items anyway and are in a generally
good state of health, the USDA says that you can clean the mold off with hot water and a brush.
So, your leftover ham is still good to eat. While you could be the biggest ham fanatic you know,
chances are you'll get bored eating the same thing every day
only to make a small dent in your leftovers. You'll no doubt enjoy having your spare ham
heated up with a serving of veggies, but you'll probably end up craving a bit more creativity.
Fortunately, there are a ton of interesting and delicious
ways to use leftover ham with simple ingredients.
For lunch, grab your trusty pan or panini press to make a Cuban or Monte Cristo
sandwich with melty cheese. If you're looking for something more substantial,
try a quiche with homemade or store-bought pie crust, ham, eggs, cheese, and vegetables.
For breakfast, mix chopped ham into a savory egg muffin or omelet. Ham is super versatile,
so just look at those leftovers as a reason to get creative!
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