How do you score a ham?

Question

I have a recipe for ham that I'm going to be cooking today and the directions say to score the ham in a diamond shape... I don't quite know what they mean by score... is it a little cut, a big one, from the top or from the center... please help!

Answer 1

This site has a good visual guide:
http://www.hormel.com/templates/knowledge/knowledge.asp?id=743

Answer 2

You cut into the top between 1/4 and a 1/2 inch deep, making a criss-cross pattern. Some people then put a clove in each square. It isn't necessary to score the ham but it makes it far more attractive. It also helps to get the glaze into the ham a little bit.

Answer 3

scoring is to cut criss cross lines. Start and one end of the ham and cut diagonal lines across the width of the ham about an inch to and inch in a half apart. Then cut diagonal lines in the opposite direction and the same intervals like making giant Xs. After the first few cuts you will see what they mean. Here is a site with pics on preparing ham http://www.hormel.com/templates/knowledge/knowledge.asp?id=743

Answer 4

I think that the word "score" means to take a sharp knife and cut into the ham making shallow slices across the grain of the
meat diagonally. Sometimes spices are placed into these shallow cuts for flavour.
Your concept of the meaning is correct, but use your own judgement on how and where to cut. I don't think that you will ruin the ham by trying.

Answer 5

Scoring is done by the tip of a knife cutting upwards at a 45 degree angle, left to right, from bottom to top every inch or so at about 1/4in deep and then back again in the other direction

Answer 6

Create a diamond pattern by cutting aprox 1/3" deep cuts about 3/4" apart. in two direction creating a "diamond pattern". I assume they then tell you to place a clove in the center of each diamond...etc.

Answer 7

I do mine cross-hatch. Shallow cuts across the ham about 1 inch apart in one direction then turn and go in the opposite direction.

Answer 8

1st answer is 110% right. I would add, make sure the knife is really sharp so the scores are clean and it looks nice.