Holiday Ham Brine

Ingredients

• 1 cup sea salt
• 2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons black (or mixed) peppercorns
• 2 tablespoons whole cloves
• 8 bay leaves
• 4 to 5 fresh rosemary sprigs
• 1 cup cider vinegar

Preparation

1. Mix all ingredients with 6 quarts cold water in a large plastic bucket or container; stir until sea salt and sugar dissolve. Completely submerge ham in the liquid; cover and refrigerate for 24 hours. Remove ham from liquid, rinse with cold water, and pat dry.