National Glazed Spiral Ham Day:

Commemorated on April 15 of every year, the National Glazed Spiral Ham Day celebrates Glazed Ham’s gourmet dish. Traditionally, a mechanically cut spiral or slice of ham is glazed with sugar, honey, or orange sauce, which is then baked. Spices such as clove, mustard, or Worcestershire sauce (to taste) may be added as per eaters’ preference.

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Why National Glazed Spiral Ham Day?

Ham has been a favorite English breakfast for a long time. In regular consumption, it is a relatively thin slice of pork meat with a thick (in width) line of fat on one of its sides. Of course, you can always choose not to have the fat in your ham.

Going into the details, ham is a boneless slice of pork meat, either processed mechanically or cut directly from meat. It is sold partially pre-cooked and is usually served cold. There are various forms of consuming ham – mainly eaten as it is with or without bread or used as an ingredient to make dishes such as noodles or on pizza toppings.

Spiral ham cuts were made possible through a piece of equipment invented by Harry J. Hoenselaar in the 1940s. The machine cut meat into uniform, continuous spirals. The HoneyBaked Ham Store came into existence in 1957, in the basement of Hoenselaar. Today, the company has over 400 stores worldwide and sells glazed spiral ham during festive seasons. This glaze is what makes the ham so very special. The recipe of this special glaze used by the HoneyBaked Ham Store is still not known to the public. The secret recipe is kept under tight security – it is a highly confidential material.

Even after 1981, when the patent of the glazed spiral ham owned by Hoenselaar expired, many food companies and eateries continued to serve such preparations of ham, thanks to the former’s invention of the recipe.

The event is celebrated in the middle of April because glazed spiral ham happens to be an Easter favorite.

How can we celebrate National Glazed Spiral Ham Day:

• Cook Other Big Meals: National Glazed Spiral Ham Day is typically celebrated by glazing the slice of ham using either sugar, honey, or orange juice, baking it, and then using the baked meat to prepare other feasts.
• However, the glazed ham can be served as it is, too, if you want to try it in some form other than baking.
• Carry On The Legacy Of The Ham: Do not let your ham leftovers go to waste! You can use the remaining ham to make salads or sandwiches the next day. You can always try the Dijon Honey Glazed Ham if you are in search of one such recipe.
• Spread The Love: Post pictures of your celebration and your feasts with the hashtag #NationalGlazedSpiralHamDay on your social media handles. Let more people know about your cooking skills and this delicious festivity.

Interesting facts about National Glazed Spiral Ham Day:

Here are some interesting facts about hams, glazed spiral hams, and HoneyBaked Hams, part of the reason why we have the holiday!

• The Hormel Company of Austin, Minnesota, was the first to sell canned hams in 1926.
• The origin of Glazed Ham recipes can be traced back to newspaper articles of the 1940s.
• Each of the HoneyBaked Hams is carefully chosen by hand.
• The recipe of the glaze used by the HoneyBaked Ham Store in the glazed spiral hams they prepare is very confidential. Many workers do not even know the secret recipe of the company.
• On the Apollo 13 Mission, a CO2 filter was engineered out of duct tape and glazed ham.
• A slice of glazed ham typically lasts for a week.
• Glazed ham is not only an Easter feast but is quite popular during Christmas festivities as well.
• A spiral slice of glazed ham typically weighs 3g and has 160 calories, with 57% of it being credited to the fat.
• The machine invented by Hoenselaar, which cut the ham into spirals, was patented in 1944, while the prototype was built in 1936.

History of National Glazed Spiral Ham Day:

The origin and history of this holiday remain yet to be known.

National Glazed Spiral Ham Day, though, is celebrated during the Easter holiday. Harry J. Hoenselaar invented the glazed spiral ham in 1957. That is also when HoneyBaked Hams, a company founded by him, came into existence. The eatery was the first to sell glazed hams, which in turn, paved the way for this delicious holiday!