I am cooking a big pot of 15 bean soup today. I have a ham in the frig which I know has been there for 2-3 weeks. How can I be certain if it is still good or safe to eat? It has no bad odor or coloring. When I took it out the ice box, it had a slimy surface so I washed it off thoroughly. I sliced it open down the middle and it has no bad smell. The color inside and out is the usual ham pinkish. Is there a way to tell if it might be bad without eating some first? I'm just a novice cook so thanks for any info.
2007-03-24 09:21:57 · 8 answers · asked by niceguy 2 in Food & Drink ➔ Cooking & Recipes
My Mom, an experienced cook with country type southern dishes tells me that it is fine since it is a cured ham.
2007-03-24 09:29:28 · update #1
Use it...............Ham is a cured meat, and contains enough soduim to keep harmful pathogens off of it........three weeks, though is pushing it.....since it's going to boiled for a while with the bean soup, there should be no problem.......If it has a "ham" scent to it and isn't discolored, it's fine.......just remember to cook it in the bean soup for at least an hour and a half........ Next time you have that much ham leftover, freez it!!! Enjoy!!!!
Christopher
2007-03-24 09:35:38 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ham typically keeps very well because it is a big chunk of meat (as opposed to ground meat with lots of surface area), and it is very salty which preserves the meat. 2-3 weeks in the fridge should not be a problem for ham.
If you're really concerned about it, you can cut off the edges. But if you say it smells and looks good, then it really should be fine.
2007-03-24 16:26:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't eat it. You really shouldn't keep cooked food in the fridge for more than five days. Even if it doesn't smell or look bad, it still could have harmful bacteria growing in it. Try cooking up some bacon instead for the soup!
2007-03-24 16:26:06 · answer #3 · answered by Glory 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's probaly okay, and it's also probably a precooked ham. Hams have a fairly long shelf life. But if you don't want to risk it, throw a few pieces of bacon in the bean soup to flavor it.
2007-03-24 16:28:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
oh, heavens, throw that nasty thing away-its not worth the risk! Foods, especially cured ones, develop a substance called amines, which cause the body to release histamine and glutamine, and can cause a severe flare up of allergies, joint pain, hives, etc. and can be very dangerous. You are better off skipping it, and flavoring your broth with veggies or tomato paste. Its bound to be teaming with bacteria, which is what cause the slimy surface
2007-03-24 16:46:09 · answer #5 · answered by beebs 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, if it's slimy, I wouldn't cook it, let alone eat it. Second, all pork is bad for you. Did you know that pigs have no sweat glands and therefore anything they put in their bodies including chemicals is what you are eating? Pigs were put here to clean up the garbage from the earth, not to be eaten.
2007-03-24 16:28:41 · answer #6 · answered by aintnobeans 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
When in doubt throw it out ! Just like your last girl friend. Slimey ham= yuck Don t take a chance
2007-03-24 16:26:31 · answer #7 · answered by carnivore al a mode 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Two or three WEEKS?!? Chuck it, hon. I know it's fully cooked and has preservatives, but you also said it was slimy. Please chuck it. No soup is that important.
2007-03-24 16:27:45 · answer #8 · answered by chefgrille 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋