Inject some fresh Mediterranean flair into your Christmas feast this year with our glazed gammon recipe. We do celebrate in summer, after all!

SERVES 8 // COOKING TIME 2 hours 50 min

INGREDIENTS
For the gammon
2 kg boneless gammon
3 onions, halved
4 carrots, roughly chopped
3 celery stalks, roughly chopped
3 bay leaves
1 tsp black peppercorns
1 L apple juice
½ tbsp cloves
For the glaze
½ cup maple syrup
¼ cup treacle sugar
3 tbsp English mustard
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp cinnamon
For the trimmings
6 apples
2 tbsp butter
175 g pomegranate seeds
Bay leaves, optional

METHOD
For the gammon
1. Add the gammon, onions, carrots, celery, bay leaves and peppercorns to a large pot.
2. Pour over the apple juice and top up with water until the gammon is covered.
3. Bring to the boil over high heat. Then, reduce to a simmer and cook for 1 hour 45 minutes.
4. Remove the gammon from the liquid. Cool slightly.
For the glaze
1. Whisk all the ingredients and season with salt.
2. Preheat oven to 200°C. Line the bottom and sides of a baking tray with foil.
3. Remove the netting from the gammon (if applicable) and cut away the skin, leaving as much fat as possible. Score a criss-cross pattern in the fat. Stick a clove in the middle of each diamond.
4. Brush half of the glaze all over the gammon and place on the prepared tray.
5. Roast for 10–15 minutes, until golden and crispy, basting with more glaze.
For the trimmings
1. Halve some of the apples and cut the others into wedges.
2. Melt the butter in a pan. Fry the apples, flesh-side down, for 2–3 minutes, until golden.
3. Arrange on a lined baking tray. Brush with the remaining glaze. Roast for 10–15 minutes.
4. Decorate your glazed gammon with roasted apples, pomegranate and bay leaves.

Recipe & styling: Chiara Turilli
Photography: Gareth van Nelson // HMimages.co.za

This dish is an excellent option for Christmas lunch, but what about Christmas Eve? Our prime rib roast with mashed white beans is the perfect option!