FEATURE RECIPE
Jerked ham

Jerked ham

Jamaican jerk spice mix is perfect for flavouring a whole ham. It can also be used with barbecued poultry and fish with equally good results. You will need to begin this recipe a day ahead.

Serves 8

Cooking Time Prep time 45 mins, cook 2 hrs 30 mins (plus marinating)



1 (9.2kg)   ham leg, bone in English mustard and hot mango chutney, to serve
Jerk seasoning
8   cloves of garlic, finely chopped
8   habanero chillies, seeds removed and diced (see note)
8   red shallots, finely chopped
2   bunches chives, finely chopped
1 tbsp   caster sugar
12   sprigs of thyme
6   bay leaves
2 tbsp   each of ground allspice, ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg
2 tsp   ground cloves
250 ml (1 cup)   each malt vinegar and dark rum
Honey basting mix
125 ml (½ cup)   dark rum
115 gm (1/3 cup)   honey
6   oranges (about 400ml), juice only


1 For jerk seasoning, combine all ingredients in a blender, season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and process until smooth, then transfer to a bowl. Makes about 3 cups.
2 Carefully remove skin from ham and score fat in a criss-cross fashion. Rub jerk seasoning over the ham and into the scored fat, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
3 For honey basting mix, combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk until honey dissolves. Set aside.
4 Preheat oven to 180C. Place ham in large roasting tray and roast for 2 hours. Remove from oven, pour over basting mixture and roast for 30 minutes, basting continuously until ham is golden brown. Cool for at least 1 hour. Serve with mustard and mango chutney to the side.

Note You can substitute fresh habaneros with a mixture of hot, red birds-eye chillies and dried habaneros available from Herbie’s Spices.

RECIPE Andy Harris PHOTOGRAPHY Chris Chen STYLING Andy Harris and Vanessa Austin

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