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This ham with pineapple is total comfort food. It's all about that sweet and savory combo. Juicy ham meets golden pineapple with a splash of real maple syrup. It turns into a cozy dish everyone grabs seconds of.
I've been throwing together this ham with pineapple ever since my grandma passed it down to me. Whenever it shows up at our Sunday table, there’s never anything left by the end of the meal.
Delicious Ingredients
- A half Quebec pork ham, bone-in or boneless: Local ham tastes fresher and helps farmers close to home
- 20–30 whole cloves: These spices bring a warm flavor that works great with the sweet stuff
- One 400 ml can of pineapple slices in juice: Pick a good quality canned pineapple for the best taste
- 540 ml pure maple syrup: Real maple syrup makes the flavor pop
Step-by-Step Directions
- Cooking and Prep:
- Pop the ham into a huge pot and cover it totally with cool water. Get it boiling on medium, then drop to low and let it simmer 30 minutes. That softens things up and gets rid of a pile of salt.
- Warm Up the Oven:
- While the pot bubbles away, set your oven to 140°C. Make sure your rack’s in the middle so it cooks evenly.
- Spice It Up:
- Drain the ham and stick the cloves in all over so every bite gets some. This is where the magic happens—they’ll add loads of flavor as it bakes.
- Layer and Build:
- Lay the ham in a deep baking dish so it catches every drop of juice. Put pineapple rings on top and around the ham, then pour over the pineapple juice and maple syrup.
- Bake and Baste:
- Bake uncovered for an hour and a half. Every 30 minutes, scoop that syrupy mix over the ham so it gets glossy and tasty on the outside.
Maple syrup is my favorite thing about this dish. Every time I make it, I remember lazy Sundays with family and the whole house smelling sweet. Don’t skip on using real maple syrup—it truly makes the finished dish amazing.
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Keeping Leftovers Fresh
Leftover ham with pineapple stays just fine for 3–4 days in the fridge if you pop it in a tight-sealing container. When it’s time to eat, cover with foil and warm it up slowly at 150°C for about 15–20 minutes. You can save the syrup separately and pour it on as you reheat for best flavor.
Tasty Sides To Go With It
This pineapple ham goes great with a scoop of creamy mashed potatoes to soak up that yummy syrup. Add something green—beans or peas work great—to brighten things up. If you want to round it out, throw together a quick salad with some zippy dressing to cut the richness.
Fun Background Story
Pineapple ham really took off in North America in the 1950s, when canned pineapple became an everyday thing. In Quebec, tossing in local maple syrup made it a hometown favorite that celebrates local flavors. The combo shows off how Quebec cooking mixes old-school and global touches all at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What’s the first step for prepping the ham?
Start by simmering the ham on low heat in water for about 30 minutes, then bake it with the other ingredients.
- → Can I swap the maple syrup with something else?
Sure, you can use honey or brown sugar instead, but it will change the flavor a bit.
- → How can I tell if the ham's done?
Check if the internal temperature of the ham reaches 60 °C (140 °F). A kitchen thermometer is handy for this.
- → What sides go best with this meal?
It goes great with roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, or grilled veggies.
- → Can I make this ahead of time?
Definitely! Prepare it early, then warm it up gently in the oven before serving.