Ham Rollup Memories

I remember going to my sister’s house when I was a kid, and her having these amazing appetizers out.  My favorites were always the rollups that she made.  Sometimes they were ham, sometimes salami or sandwich pepperoni. But they were always amazing. A few years later, after a LOT of begging, she told me how she made them.  They were so utterly simple, I can’t believe that I didn’t figure them out on my own.  To be fair though, I was only about 12 or 13 years old.  Now, they are a staple around my house for simple gatherings, or special after-school snacks for my kids, who think a ham rollup and maybe the sandwich pepperoni ones are the best.

The Big Ham Rollup Secret

The biggest secret of a Ham Rollup is knowing what kind of deli ham you like best.  Virginia baked, honey, double smoked, or even the new bacon wrapped ham I saw at the deli are all fair game.  This time I used Black Forrest because it was what was on sale, but you can use whatever you like.  After all, if you don’t like the main ingredient in something, you probably aren’t going to like the final product.  The filling is easy: cream cheese.  You can use it plain, add seasonings, or even pineapple if you like.  (Hint: drain the pineapple and let it sit on a few layers of paper towel to dry out for a few minutes so your filling isn’t runny later on!)  I’ve also used chopped black olives mixed into the cream cheese for an earthy and hearty flavor.  The sky is the limit.  Use your imagination!

Slicing a Ham Rollup the Easy Way

The first time I made these tasty little swirls, I didn’t let the cream cheese set back up after being softened.  My rolls came out all squished when I tried to slice them, and the cream cheese oozed everywhere!  To prevent this from happening, wrap the rolls in plastic wrap and refrigerate until they are firm.  If needed, set them in the freezer for no more than 20 minutes.  They will be easy to slice and make perfect spirals on a bed of lettuce!  These are great for appetizers, snacks, and in the summer, they are paired with salads in my house, for a simple summer dinner that doesn’t heat the kitchen!

Next time you need a great snack, make up a Ham Rollup or two!