A picnic ham, also called a pork shoulder, is an American specialty especially popular throughout New England. Though not technically actual hams, picnic hams goes through a smoking process that makes them taste similar to ham. Picnic hams are usually served glazed or barbecued, making it a popular summer staple of New England and Southern cuisine in the United States.

The term “ham” is usually applied to the meat taken from a pig’s back legs. Picnic hams are instead taken from the front leg and shoulder area. They are often slightly more tough and require a longer cooking time than traditional ham. Expert butchers note that there is also more waste in the butchering process, as the bone structure of the shoulder requires additional carving.

One popular way to serve picnic ham is with a deeply sugary glaze. The uncooked ham is coated with a boiled-down mixture that usually contains molasses, cane sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, butter and cherry juice. Like traditional hams, the meat may be studded with pineapple slices and maraschino cherries during roasting.

A traditional New England dish is the boiled New England dinner, of which picnic ham is a major component. This basic dish consists of slow-boiled picnic ham and vegetables, including rutabagas, cabbages, carrots, and turnips. The New England dinner is thought to have derived from Irish-American cuisine, known for its simplicity and heartiness. A similar dish, called a Jigg’s Dinner, exists throughout the Newfoundland and Labrador areas of Northeastern Canada. Although both dishes use picnic ham, it is commonly referred to as pork shoulder in context, as the boiling process removes much of the ham flavor.

To serve picnic hams on an actual picnic or for an outdoor summer dinner, some enjoy cooking the meat with a tangy barbecue-style glaze. For this recipe, boil the meat with spices, adding vegetables of your choice. Prepare your preferred barbecue sauce; one version of the recipe calls for a mixture of onions, vinegar, brown sugar, mustard and hot peppers. Brush the meat with the sauce and bake, re-coating occasionally. While it may not be cooked over the grill, barbecue-sauced picnic ham will have a smoky and heavy flavor.

Because picnic ham is usually considerably less expensive than traditional ham, it is excellent for families on a tight budget. For busy people, throwing some pork shoulder into a crock pot with vegetables and spices will grant you a lovely stew by the end of the day. If teaching children to cook with meat, picnic hams can be an easy start to understanding glazing and flavor combinations. Whether with a complicated sugary topping or simply soaked in apple juice, picnic ham can stand up to most flavors and is a great meat for cooking experimentation.