The culinary preparation involves combining shredded or diced cured pork, often pre-cooked and glazed with a saccharine coating, with mayonnaise or a similar emulsified dressing. This mixture is then complemented with various ingredients such as celery, onion, sweet pickle relish, and spices to create a cold, spreadable dish typically served on bread, crackers, or lettuce cups. A commonly referenced iteration utilizes a specific brand of pre-cooked ham renowned for its distinctive preparation method and sweet flavoring as its primary protein source.
This type of preparation offers a convenient and palatable method for utilizing leftover holiday ham. The dishs creation minimizes food waste while simultaneously providing a relatively inexpensive and simple lunch or snack option. Its roots likely stem from the broader tradition of meat salads, which became popular in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries as advancements in food preservation and refrigeration made processed meats more accessible.
