Growing up, I remember my uncle serving up two huge plates of meat on Thanksgiving, one with classic carved turkey, and the other with juicy honey ham. Most years, I skipped the turkey entirely and went straight for the good stuff. Smoking Goose has something special in store this season with the release of its 2019 winter holiday ham. Using methods both old and new, the company has whipped up a piece of meat that simply can’t be overlooked.
“It begins with pasture-raised hams from fourth-generation farmer Greg Gunthorp in Northern Indiana,” Corrie Cook, Narration Director, told me. “After cutting and trimming the boneless, whole-muscle hams by hand, our butchers cure 'em under Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon, a classic bourbon and staff favorite that's been brewed continuously since 1870. Ginger beer from Indianapolis' own Handcrafted Beverages made with real cane sugar goes into each small batch ham, too, plus allspice, cloves, cinnamon, and black peppercorns.”
Talk about mouth-watering! Slow smoked over applewood, oak, and hickory, these Bourbon Holiday Hams are fully cooked and ready to eat or simple to warm and serve hot as the center plate of the holiday table. Cut thick slices to fry ham steaks for holiday brunch or dice and toss with eggs and brioche for a winter morning frittata. You could even layer thin slices next to pickled peaches and candied pecans on charcuterie boards, and pour a glass of Old Forester on the side.
Members of the general public can pre-order Smoking Goose's limited-release Old Forester Bourbon Hams for holiday delivery coast to coast, and both retail and foodservice Wholesale Customers can reach out to Smoking Goose for orders and delivery info here.
Not only are the Smoking Goose holiday hams ready to go, but the company has also released a line of snack packs to tempt consumers. Four compartments of expertly paired bites combine for a snack, picnic, or meal that's convenient and healthy. Smoking Goose's handcrafted salumi are cured without added compound nitrates with proteins sourced from small, family farms who raise animals humanely and as nature intended. Farmstead cheeses and artisanal accompaniments make for satisfying pairings and set Smoking Goose's snack packs apart from others. The Old School Pack collects slices of four Smoking Goose classic salumis, while the Batali Pack includes meats and cheeses that are piled on retail market's Batali Sandwich, a monster mouthful that earned Goose the top spot in Bon Appetit's list of America's Best Sandwich Shops.
Time to call up Uncle George and let him know where to get our holiday ham this year! For more of the industry’s most delicious releases, keep reading Deli Market News.
