Classic Irish Ham and Cabbage Feast
Experience the heartwarming flavors of Ireland with this classic Ham and Cabbage Feast. This traditional recipe brings together hearty smoked ham and a medley of simmered vegetables, creating a comforting dish perfect for family gatherings or holiday celebrations. The tender ham is paired beautifully with vibrant cabbage, sweet carrots, and creamy potatoes, making it a wholesome meal that embodies the spirit of Irish cooking. Gather around the table and enjoy this delightful taste of Ireland together!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
smoked ham
4-5 lbs (whole)
large onion
1 (whole)
carrots
6 (peeled and sliced)
potatoes
8 (peeled and cubed)
dried thyme
1 teaspoon (dried)
fresh parsley
1 bunch (fresh)
cabbage
1 head (cut into quarters)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing a bouquet garni: Place the dried thyme, fresh parsley, and large onion into a cheesecloth. Knot securely for easy removal post-cooking.
2
In a large pot, place the smoked ham and cover it with cold water. Ensure it is fully submerged.
3
Add the prepared vegetable bouquet garni, sliced carrots, and cubed potatoes to the pot. Bring the mixture to a roaring boil.
4
Once boiling, reduce the heat and let the pot simmer gently. Cook until the vegetables are tender, typically around 45 minutes to 1 hour.
5
Carefully remove the herb bundle from the pot and discard it.
6
Add the quartered cabbage to the pot, allowing it to simmer for an additional 20 minutes or until it reaches your desired level of tenderness.
7
Once cooked, remove the ham from the pot and set it on a cutting board. Slice the ham into thick pieces.
8
Arrange the sliced ham at the center of a large serving platter.
9
Drain the cabbage and season it with freshly cracked pepper to taste.
10
Surround the ham with the vibrant cabbage, sweet carrots, and hearty potatoes on the platter.
11
Gather your loved ones, serve up generous portions, and savor this traditional Irish delight!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Classic Irish Ham and Cabbage Feast?
It is a traditional Irish dish featuring smoked ham simmered with a medley of vegetables including cabbage, carrots, and potatoes.
What type of ham is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for a 4-5 lb whole smoked ham.
How many carrots are needed?
You will need 6 carrots, which should be peeled and sliced.
What kind of potatoes should I use?
The recipe requires 8 potatoes, peeled and cubed, to achieve a creamy texture.
How is the cabbage prepared?
One head of cabbage should be cut into quarters before being added to the pot.
What herbs are used for seasoning?
The dish is seasoned with one teaspoon of dried thyme and one bunch of fresh parsley.
How do I prepare the herb bouquet?
Create a bouquet garni by placing the dried thyme, fresh parsley, and a large onion into cheesecloth and knotting it securely.
What is the first step in cooking the ham?
Place the smoked ham in a large pot and cover it completely with cold water.
How long should the ham and root vegetables simmer?
They should simmer gently for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour until the vegetables are tender.
When do I add the cabbage to the pot?
Add the cabbage after the initial simmering period and after removing the herb bundle.
How long does the cabbage take to cook?
The cabbage needs to simmer for an additional 20 minutes or until it reaches your desired tenderness.
What should I do with the bouquet garni after cooking?
The herb bundle should be carefully removed from the pot and discarded once the vegetables are tender.
How is the ham served?
Remove the ham from the pot and slice it into thick pieces for serving.
How should the platter be arranged?
Place the sliced ham in the center and surround it with the cabbage, carrots, and potatoes.
How is the cabbage seasoned after cooking?
Drain the cabbage and season it with freshly cracked pepper to taste.
Is this recipe suitable for holiday celebrations?
Yes, it is a comforting dish perfect for holiday celebrations or family gatherings.
Does the ham need to be submerged during cooking?
Yes, ensure the ham is fully submerged in water at the start of the cooking process.
What is the preparation for the onion?
The large onion is kept whole and included inside the bouquet garni.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 7 main ingredients: smoked ham, onion, carrots, potatoes, thyme, parsley, and cabbage.
Is this a traditional Irish recipe?
Yes, it embodies the spirit of traditional Irish cooking with hearty, wholesome ingredients.
Can I use fresh thyme instead of dried?
While the recipe specifies dried thyme, fresh thyme can often be substituted if adjusted for quantity.
Should the water be hot or cold when starting?
The recipe instructs to cover the ham with cold water before bringing it to a boil.
What heat level should I use for simmering?
After bringing the pot to a roaring boil, reduce the heat to let it simmer gently.
Is the cabbage drained?
Yes, the cabbage should be drained before being seasoned and served.
What is the texture of the carrots in this dish?
The carrots become sweet and tender after simmering with the ham.
What size is the ham used in this feast?
The recipe calls for a ham weighing between 4 and 5 pounds.
Is pepper added to the recipe?
Yes, freshly cracked pepper is used to season the cabbage at the end.
Can this meal be served on a single platter?
Yes, it is traditionally served on a large platter with the ham surrounded by the vegetables.
Is the onion eaten?
No, the onion is part of the bouquet garni which is discarded after flavoring the broth.
What makes this a hearty meal?
The combination of protein-rich ham and filling root vegetables makes it a very hearty and wholesome feast.