Ham w/Apples and Sweet Potatoes

I enjoy cooking with seasonal foods, and with fall setting in here in Nebraska, apples are in abundant supply.  This recipe uses the flavors of apples and another fall favorite, the sweet potato, to pair with glazed ham slices. The apples and sweet potatoes are placed in the bottom of the pan, then the ham is placed over the produce, and everything is topped off with an orange based glaze that goes well with everything.


Ham w/Apples and Sweet Potatoes

2 large sweet potatoes (about 1-1/4 lbs each)
2 apples
1-1/2 lbs ham, cut in thick slices
3/4 cup orange juice
2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp orange marmalade or apricot preserves
1 tsp grates fresh ginger
1 clove garlic, minced

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Peel and cut sweet potato into 1-inch chunks.  Place sweet potato in saucepan and add enough water to cover.  Bring to a boil and cook, uncovered for 15 minutes.  Drain well.

Meanwhile, make sauce by mixing together orange juice, cornstarch, soy sauce, marmalade or preserves, ginger, and garlic.  Bring to a boil, stirring often.  Reduce heat and cook 3 minutes, or until thickened.

Cut apples into eight wedges.  Remove core from each wedge and arrange apples and sweet potatoes in single layer in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan.  Arrange ham slices over top of apples and sweet potatoes.  Pour sauce evenly over top of ham.  Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes.  Remove foil and bake 10 minutes more.  Serve immediately.