11 Thanksgiving Recipes Using Virginia Ham

Although turkey is undoubtedly the main dish at any Thanksgiving meal, Virginia Ham makes its way to thousands of tables each year.

Virginia hams, especially those from Smithfield, are legendary for their smoky sweetness. They’re cut from razorback hogs fed on peanuts and peaches and then smoked over apple and hickory wood.

If that makes you crave some Thanksgiving ham, here’s a few ways to get it on your table this year:

Pumpkin Crostini with Brussel Sprouts and Virginia Ham

This recipe from Chef Travis Brust takes some effort, but the result is a beautiful and tasty appetizer your great-aunt martha will talk about until next Thanksgiving. A thin layer of pumpkin puree dotted with raisins and sweetened with honey and apple cider covers crusty french bread. The whole thing is topped with crispy shredded brussel sprouts, pan fried ham and shallots to make an utterly delicious bite.

Baked Virginia Ham

Food Network chef Ina Garten, also known as The Barefoot Contessa, never disappoints and this recipe for a spiral cut baked Virginia ham is no different. Garten rubs her ham with dijon mustard, brown sugar, mango chutney and orange zest before roasting it for one hour. How bad can that be?

Pineapple Glazed Ham

We’ve all seen pictures of hams studded with pineapple rings and maraschino cherries at Thanksgivings in the 50s. But this vintage recipe, with a little modern twist from Epicurious, is a classic for a reason. Pineapple juice, ginger and garlic mix into a sauce that’s the perfect blend of savory and sweet.

Sauteed Green Cabbage with Country Ham

Salty, buttery cabbage with chunks of famous Virginia ham is sure to be a hit at your Thanksgiving dinner. This Williams-Sonoma recipe has to be served immediately, so be sure to set aside 45 minutes to make it before you eat. And for the adults, the website recommends pairing the dish with a soft or medium bodied white wine.

Scalloped Potatoes with Ham

Nothing says comfort food like potatoes, ham and a whole bunch of cheese. So this recipe from a Food Network viewer is perfect for that food-coma inducing day we call Thanksgiving. Layer a casserole dish with sliced potatoes, ham and cheddar, bake for 45 minutes and you’re on your way to cheesy goodness.

Deviled Eggs with Country Ham

Deviled eggs are a must on every Thanksgiving table, but they can get boring. This recipe from Food and Wine Magazine spices up the bland original with thinly sliced Virginia ham, a swirl of goat cheese and a chopped chive garnish.

Turnip Greens with Country Ham

A true southern Thanksgiving doesn’t start until there’s greens on the table. This simple, four-ingredient recipe from Just A Pinch lets the turnip greens shine through. A dash of nutmeg makes it into the pot to add a bit of holiday spice.

Ham and Cheese Casserole with Apples and Sage

For all the health-conscious out there who groan at the thought of Thanksgiving calories, a blog-runner named Erin has brought you healthy ham and cheese casserole. This recipe ditches the cream of mushroom soup and heavy cream that go into most cheesy casseroles. Instead, the The Law Student’s Wife blogger uses greek yogurt and a touch of half and half. With the addition of sweet apples and earthy sage, you might just forget about the missing cream.

Sweet Potato Biscuits with Country Ham and Honey Mustard

The sweetness of this recipe’s biscuits and the saltiness from the ham mixed with a slight tang from honey mustard make this the perfect gobble-them-up appetizer for your Thanksgiving meal. You’ll have to make the biscuits from scratch, but recipe creator and Minced blogger Nikki Moore says “it’s a pleasure worth the effort.”

Sauteed Green Beans with Garlic and Virginia Ham

Beans and ham are always a good combination, but this recipe from the My Melted Pot blogger adds a head and a half of garlic to the mix. But don’t let that scare you off, the recipe asks you to boil the garlic first to mellow out the flavor. The result is a dish the author says has become a favorite in her house.

Virginia Ham and Oysters

This PBS recipe isn’t only delicious, it’s historical. Ham and oysters were a classic combination in Virginia around the time of the first Thanksgiving. Colonial cooks would have used whole oysters, but PBS recommends home cooks buy the ready-to-cook version. This recipe uses a whole ham, a dozen oysters and a cup of heavy cream. Talk about decadent.

image: John Goetzinger via Flickr