Stuffed Ham

01 / ABOUT THE DISH

About the dish

Stuffed ham is an American delicacy originating from a small area in southern Maryland (the counties of St. Mary's, Charles, and Calvert) and dating back to the 17th century. The ham is brined in salt, trimmed, sliced, then stuffed with a combination of kale, cabbage, onions, celery, hot peppers, and various spices. It is traditionally wrapped in cheesecloth, boiled for a few hours, then served cold as a main dish or tucked into potato rolls or between slices of bread. The dish is usually prepared for the festive Christmas season. Although not much is known about the origin of stuffed ham and there are numerous variations on the dish, it appears to combine British and African traditions – the ham is similar to Lincolnshire stuffed chine, while the hot peppers suggest a possible Caribbean and African influence.