Smoking Hams
After the hams are well cured, take them out, wash and scrub them well with hot water, then hang them up and let them dry well before they are put into the smoke house. Be very careful that your fire does not get too hot, as hams are to be smoked slow, and with a rather cold smoke.
Boiling Hams
Many butchers make a big mistake in boiling their hams in a hurry. A ham should at least have 24 hours the following way for boiling: Get your hams ready in the afternoon, take out the bones for boneless ham, and string them with twine, then place them in your kettle, or steam box, in cold water and let same come slowly to a boil, then turn off your steam, or let your fire go down. Next morning turn on your steam again, and keep your water close to boiling temperature for 5 to 6 hours, then shut off your steam and keep your box or kettle covered until late in the afternoon, when your hams will be ready to be taken out. By following this method of boiling, you are not only getting a juicy ham, but also gain from 1⁄2 to 11⁄2 lbs. in weight on every one you cook, where by quick boiling you will have a corresponding loss in weight, besides a dry and straw like tasting ham.
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Schinken zu Räuchern
Nachdem die Schinken, durchgesalzen sind, nehme man dieselben aus der Lake heraus, wasche und bürste dieselben gut mit heissem Wasser ab, hänge dieselben auf, um sie gut abtrocknen zu lassen, ehe man dieselben in den Rauch hängt. Man muss sehr vorsichtig sein, dass das Feuer nicht zu heiss wird, da die Schinken langsam und mehr mit kaltem Rauch geräuchert werden sollen.