Thanks to Carol Tucker on Bever Street, we have today’s recipe for Ham Balls with Pineapple Sauce. I don’t know where this combo originated, but the ham & pineapple thing is found everywhere from pizza parlors to cocktail parties. It’s not my favorite, but some people rave over it. To each their own. Who knows, this might be interesting and tasty? Just a note, I don’t know exactly what “ham loaf mix” was, or how to recreate it. However, meat loaf starts with ground beef, so perhaps it is simply ground ham. You could probably make these small and stick toothpicks in them for a cocktail party.
Ham Balls with Pineapple Sauce
2 lbs ham loaf mix
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup bread crumbs
1/4 tsp pepper
Mix and form into balls. Place close together in a large shallow baking pan.
Mix:
1 cup crushed pineapple
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 T vinegar
1 T dry mustard
Pour over meat balls. Bake at 350 for 1 1/4 hours. Meat balls may be prepared ahead and frozen
Gram's Recipe Box 
As I was reading your notes about what the heck is “ham loaf mix” I first thought (without reading the recipe) that it was probably a little seasoning packet, rather like a McCormick’s meat loaf seasoning mix, but if it’s 2 lbs…gotta be meat!
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Ham Loaf Mix is 1 pound of ground pork (not sausage) to 2 pounds of ground ham. and all the seasonings mentioned in the recipe. I purchase ground pork at the meat counter of my local grocery store and grind in my meat grinder a 2 pound piece of ham sold prepackaged in the cooler of the deli selection area of the store. One can add a little milk to make the mixture moist and so it holds together. This is a wonderful dish to make into the balls OR place in a loaf pan to bake and slice after cooking.
If making in a loaf pan, be sure and make the pineapple topping and place it in the bottom of the loaf pan and then add the ham loaf mix . Bake and when done, place plate on top of pan and turn out ham loaf on plate, Juices and pineapple with be the glaze.
ENJOY !
P.S. If made into small balls they can be served as appitizers and the larger balls are wonderful for a dinner serving.
Bobbie Carpenter
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Thank you so much for your input!
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Ham loaf mix is JUST like meatloaf, with ground ham, egg, etc. My itty-bitty grocery store in the town nearest to us has a great meat/deli department, and sells it ready-to-use fresh or frozen. You just pop it into the crockpot or loaf pan and you’re set for a quick meal. This recipe sounds good, easy and uses stuff I have in my panty or freezer all of the time. Thanks!
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Deb is right about ham loaf. It is a mix, mostly done by the cook. Years ago (50 years i.e.) a friend of mine where I was working went to her market and asked for ham loaf (mix). The butcher told her that she had to buy the ham, etc. etc. and mix it herself. Needless to say she didn’t have ham loaf. I didn’t know there was anywhere in this day and age, where you could get it already prepared.
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you can get ham ball mix at my local grocery store….it is a regular food here in lancaster county. this is exactly how we make it also with the pineapple glaze very good.
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Most recipes call for equal parts ground ham and ground pork. Some also add ground beef.
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what do you serve with the ham loaf with pineapple glaze? what sides/veggie?
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I would probably serve mashed potatoes and a green veg of some kind.
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Scalloped or au gratin potatoes are very good with ham loaf/ ham balls along with green beans or corn and a side of cole slaw is always good. Enjoy,
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There is a coldcut in the deli called ham loaf….even Spam would work (gotta say that since they make it at Hormel in Fremont, Nebraska…. LOL
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I get ham loaf at Kauffman’s deli in Intercourse ,Pa. They make it fresh and will even tell you their recipe.
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Ham loaf is an equal amount of ground pork and ground ham.
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Ham loaf is usually ground ham & ground pork mixed together
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