Pork Traditional ham is a cut of meat from the hind leg of a pig that has been cured, smoked, or cooked. It comes in various forms, including fresh, cured, or fully cooked. **Fresh ham** is uncured and needs to be cooked before eating, while **cured ham** has been salted and sometimes smoked to preserve it. **Fully cooked ham** is ready to eat and often comes pre-sliced. Ham can be served hot or cold, and it's popular for holiday meals, sandwiches, and as an ingredient in a variety of dishes. Its flavor can range from mildly savory to intensely smoky, depending on the curing and smoking process.