Ham and Citrus Fruit

By Dawn Hall, author of the Busy People’s Cookbook Series

This is superb for either a breakfast, brunch or dinner buffet. The cooked fruit tastes fabulous, and for the most part does not lose its shape during cooking.

1 (7 ½ pound) smoked extra-lean boneless ham, fully-cooked *
1 (20-ounce) can pineapple slices, drained
10 maraschino cherries
2 (29-ounce) cans grapefruit whole segments, juices drained and discarded
2 (30-ounce) cans mandarin orange whole segments, juices drained and discarded
2 teaspoons ground allspice
¼ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

  • Spray a large oblong slow cooker with nonfat cooking spray.
  • Using toothpicks, secure all of the pineapple slices to the ham with two toothpicks per pineapple slice.
  • In the center of each pineapple, secure 1 maraschino cherry using a toothpick.
  • Place the ham in the slow cooker and sprinkle the brown sugar over the top.
  • In a large bowl, very gently stir together the grapefruit, oranges, and allspice.
  • Place the citrus fruit around the ham.
  • Cover and cook on high for 5 hours, or until the temperature reaches 140 degrees in the center.
  • When the ham is completely heated through, remove with a large fork and place it on a serving platter or 9 x 13-inch glass baking dish.
  • Let the ham sit for 10 minutes before slicing. 
  • Using a slotted spoon, ladle the fruit around the ham. Serve the au jus (juice) on the side.

*Note: We bought our ham at Sam’s Club with only 1/2 gram fat per ounce. Do not use a pre-sliced ham.

Yield: 24 (5-ounce) servings of meat and 1 tablespoon cooked fruit

Calories: 240 (23% fat); Total Fat: 6g; Cholesterol: 64mg; Carbohydrate: 17g; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Protein: 29g; Sodium: 1807mg
Diabetic Exchanges: 5 very lean meat, 1 fruit

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 hours
Total time: 5 hours 10 minutes

These ham recipes were created for Precious Moments Moms by Dawn Hall, the author of the award winning Busy People’s Cookbook Series including the just released title: Busy People’s Super Simple Menus Cookbook, (137 healthy, homestyle-meals made in 30-minutes or less); Slow Cooker Cookbook, Low-Carb Cookbook, Diabetic Cookbook, Christmas Cookbook, Low-Fat Cookbook, Busy People’s Down Home Cooking Without the Down Home Fat Cookbook and 7 Simple Steps to a Healthier You.  Her books are currently available at all fine bookstores and on the internet.  Her website is: www.Dawnhallcookbooks.com