Swedish Christmas Ham (Julskinka)

Ingredients

• 1 (7- to 9-pound) fresh unsmoked, salt-cured ham
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 6 tablespoons grainy mustard
• 6 tablespoons finely crumbled gingersnaps, or breadcrumbs

Instructions

1. Gather the ingredients. Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and heat to 350 F.
2. Rinse the ham well to remove any excess salt. Pat dry with paper towels.
3. Place the ham, rind-side up, on a rack in a heavy-duty roasting pan. Roast until the internal temperature on an instant-read thermometer registers 160 F, about 4 1/2 hours. Remove from the oven and increase heat to 450 F.
4. Carefully slice the rind off the ham and reserve. In Scandinavia, this crispy, delicious, heart attack-inducing crackling is often served as a side dish.
5. Whisk together the egg yolks, brown sugar, and mustard, and spread evenly over the surface of the ham.
6. Sprinkle with the crumbled gingersnaps or breadcrumbs until evenly coated.
7. Return ham to oven and roast until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes more.
8. Remove from oven, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 15 minutes.
9. Carve and serve warm, or let it cool completely and serve at room-temperature or cold.