Do I really need to soak the gammon joint overnight?

[winnybella]

Not even sure if it's smoked or not, tbh. I've only done it once before and don't think I soaked it.

Plan to boil it for a few hours then glaze and bake for a bit.

[GetOrfMoiLand]

i have never bothered to be honest, and I buy smoked gammon. I boil it from cold, then chuck that water away, and then put new water (or coke) in and start again.

[bellavita]

I have never soaked a gammon joint, just give it a wash, dry and then bunged it in the oven, wrapped in tinfoil in a water bath. The last half hour of the cooking time, I have taken the rind off, criss crossed the fat and put some honey over it and put it back into the oven.

[winnybella]

Oh great . I want to do it tonight, perfect.

[thrifty]

same as gerorf... bring to the boil, throw the water away and then reboil (for ham). or just roast it ala bellavita :-)

[winnybella]

oh shit I just put it in cold water with carrots, onions etc.

Do I really have to throw the water out (don't fancy the peeling etc again)?

[Poledra]

I don't throw the water away, winny - I boil the gammon in it then use the water as stock for soup.

Ignore these others, I am clearly Queen Cook here.

[muggglewump]

I never do, I put it in the slow cooker and it's fine.

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

I normally soak it for an hour, throw the water and then boil it in new water for ham or roast for, well roast!

[winnybella]

Poledra- that's what I mean- do I need to bring it to boil and then take it out and put it in a fresh water? I wanted it to boil with the carrots etc, which are already in the pot, so I guess I would have to throw them out as well and peel new ones?

[winnybella]

arrgh, it's starting to boil!!!

so can I keep on boiling it in the same water or not, please?

[Poledra]

I boil it in the same water, winny.

Whatever you do, do not add salt before you taste the stock/soup

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

If you do want to change the water, then I wouldn't see the need to change the carrots etc also - just transfer them with the gammon.

[GetOrfMoiLand]

nah, I would just carry on as you are. If you do want to change the water as per MY instructions (ignore that Poledra, Nigella she aint ) just keep the carrots and shove them in with the new water.