Ham with Fruit Dish Recipes

What Fruits Go Best with Ham?

Ham is a favorite pork meal for many people, with its rich, sharp taste and naturally sweet flavor. Pairing the sweet yet milder tastes of fruits with ham is a natural recipe twist, and depending on the final recipe, a variety of different fruits can be used, including:

• Pineapples
• Apples
• Peaches
• Oranges
• Pears
• Pumpkins

Because of ham’s powerful flavor, it is best to choose fruits that also have strong flavors. Milder fruits such as strawberries or bananas would be easily overwhelmed by the meat and their tastes lost. Furthermore, juicy fruits are an excellent choice to accompany ham, because the juice helps dilute the meat’s saltiness while simultaneously infusing it with flavor.

Tips for Pairing Fruits with Ham

When combining fruits with ham, choose firm, succulent fruits that will still be noticeable in the recipe. If the recipe calls for roasting or grilling, it is wise to keep a few pieces of fruit available for a bright, colorful garnish to the finished dish – many cooking methods discolor fruit and make it less visually appealing. If only fruit sauces are used (fruit glazes are particularly tasty with different ham dishes), follow the recipe instructions carefully to avoid any scorching or burning of the glaze, especially if it is applied before the meat has finished cooking.

In Conclusion

Fruit is a delicious, refreshing accompaniment to the strong flavor of ham, whether it is used as a direct side dish, stuffing, glaze, or sauce. By carefully choosing fruit to pair well with the taste of ham, it is possible to create unexpected yet appetizing flavor combinations to please any ham lover.