Ham Balls Recipe

Ham Balls Recipe 

Ingredients

Ham balls :

• 11⁄2 pounds cubed ham
• 1 pound ground pork
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup saltine cracker crumbs
• 1 cup finely chopped onions, optional
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3⁄4 cup vegetable oil

Glaze :

• 11⁄4 cups packed dark brown sugar
• 3⁄4 cup orange juice
• 1⁄4 cup rice vinegar
• 1⁄4 cup prepared mustard
• 1 tablespoon dry mustard

Garnish :

• Cilantro leaves , optional
• Orange slices , optional

Cooking Instructions: 

1. To prepare the ham balls, place the ham in a food processor container and pulse to a coarse texture. 
2. Combine the ham, pork, eggs, cracker crumbs, and onions, if using, in a large bowl; mix well.
3. Form into 60 balls about the size of a walnut. The mixture will be very sticky and soft.
4. Pour the flour into a shallow pan and coat the meatballs with the flour. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours to overnight.
5. To prepare the glaze, combine all of the ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. 
6. Reduce the heat and simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
7. Heat 1⁄4 cup of the oil in a large skillet over medium- high heat. Add 20 ham balls and cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Repeat twice with the remaining ham balls.
8. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Arrange the browned ham balls in a 13 × 9- inch glass baking dish. 
9. Pour the glaze mixture evenly over the ham balls and bake, uncovered, for 11⁄2 hours, or until richly glazed, turning every 30 minutes. 
10. Garnish with cilantro leaves and orange slices, if desired.