Do I need to soak a gammon?

[TheSydenhamSet]

I have two aldi gammon joints, smoked and unsmoked, for Boxing Day. Do I need to soak them in water overnight before cooking to remove excess salt? Thank you!

Bump. Anyone?

I tend to boil up using Jamie Oliver recipes with enough water to cover plus veg - carrots, celery and an orange - think he says zest but I just cut one up and bung in plus some herbs and black pepper

I would if I knew the gammon is likely to be very satly. If dont know in advance and you plan to boil the gammon, then you could change or dilute the water half way through cooking. You could taste during cooking to gauge the salt levels. I often cook the LIDL version but I found the pre-steeping actually made the gammon very bland. Not sure if LIDL and ALDI source from the same suppliers.

I don't but that's because I boil gammon joints. If I was roasting a joint I would soak it first.

I don't but that's because I boil gammon joints. If I was roasting a joint I would soak it first.

Thanks all! A friend gave me a good tip i'll try - cut off a small piece, boil for few mins til cooked then eat. Ill then know if it needs soaking. Happy Christmas!

I always soak gammon over night cos that's what all the books say
It still always tastes salty though
Are you from Sydenham btw?

If you are running short on time (which we are as I went to bed not feeling well, and obviously none of the men thought to soak it), you can put it in cold water, bring to boil, discard water, repeat twice more and should be good to roast.

You can bring u p to the boil and discard scummy water or just put it in a bowl in your sink and pour a couple of kettles worth of boiling water over it before cooking.