Triple Smoked Gammon

[rockyracoon]

OH has just rang to tell me butcher has a Triple smoked gammon, he fancies it to go along with the turkey on Christmas day, I know I can soak it overnight to get rid of some of the saltiness, but triple smoked, do you reckon it might be too salty?

[ummmm]

Is salt used in the smoking process?

[rockyracoon]

I don't know ummm, but I always buy unsmoked as it tastes less salty than smoked to me. Maybe I'm having a divvy moment (quite likely) ;)

[humbersloop]

I'd be surprised if the meat was brined more than once to begin with before they smoke it rocky, so an overnight soak ought to do

[ummmm]

I find gammon much less salty than when I was a kid.

Smoked gammon on telly now....it's the smoking that cures it. So not salt, I think.

[rockyracoon]

Right, I think I'll go for it, if I keep waking up glugging water all night, I'll blame you two ;)

[vakayu]

From what I read the ham is cured first using salt and spices but triple smoked should just mean longer in the smoking process and should not be any saltier!

[sunny-dave]

I agree that smoked very often implies salty in cheap gammon - but I would have thought that 'triple smoked' implied quality and proper smoking rather than a cheap chemical process.

I like the sharper, smoky taste of gammon/ham with my turkey - early visit to Aldi tomorrow for both I think ...

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/special_buys3_28292.htm

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/special_buys3_28381.htm

[humbersloop]

that's because commercially, they widely use "liquid smoke" ummm, not the real thing

http://www.lovepork.co.uk/assets/pdf/master-butchers-guide-to-gammon.pdf

[ummmm]

Okay...

I've never soaked gammon. Is that something you do if it's going to be roasted? I always boil mine.

[rockyracoon]

I'll be honest, I rarely soak mine, it just gets bunged in a coddle or gets boiled. I will definitely be roasting this gammon for Chrismas day though, don't think boiled bacon will go down to well with the rest of them.

Thanks for all your replies.

[humbersloop]

If boiling, I do mine in a 50/50 liquid of orange juice and cider, with a bay leaf, couple of cloves, half a stick of cinnamon and fresh black pepper corns

[humbersloop]

^ which you can then do with a marmalade or mustard and honey glaze and finish off in the oven rocky

[ummmm]

The only time I really eat it is when I do boiled bacon and cabbage.

It is nice boiled, just, sliced, dipped into a mixture of honey, white wine vinegar and chilli and then fried in a hot pan.

[friedgreentomato]

I only soak gammons if they tast salty (slice a small bit off and taste)

I also always boil a gammon even if roasting.

[knowabit]

I am starving now.. I love smoked gammon and reading this thread has my tummy rumbling!!