Question about Ham

[The empressof all]

I purchased a spiral cut ham on Friday that I was planning to cook on Sunday. Things have changed and now I don't want to cook it until next week-end. Should I put it in the freezer or is it OK to just leave it in the fridge for a week. I know it's cured and all but it just doesn't seem right to leave it fridged for a week.

What would you all do?

[Nicole]

1. I leave my in the fridge longer than that

I have bought 2 at Thanksgiving, cooking 1 then & the other 1 for Christmas.

AS long as it is still wrapped in the orignal plastic they are good for up to 6 weeks in the fridge. At least that is what the butcher told me.

[merci_me]

2. Doesn't it have a "use by" stamped on the wrapper?

Sometimes they're hard to notice with all the graphic and directions. If you bought it from a supermarket, the store's sticker with the weight and price stamp on it should have the date.

If it's vacuum sealed and cured, it could be good for up to a month, but again that depends on when the store actually put it out for sale. This time of year, when they move fast, usually the date still left for "use by" is pretty long.

It's just a personal thing with me, but I think a ham that's been frozen just doesn't taste the same.

Mary

[troubleinwinter]

3. If it has been kept cold, I would think it's fine.

Ham keeps well. I might go ahead and turn the fridge to a colder than normal temp for the week, just to be extra sure. But if it hasn't been out on the counter or table, should be fine.