"I had to go so far girl to get my ham bones boiled. Had to go so far girl to get my ham bones boiled. Well, he's had a lotta women, gonna let my ham bones burn."

Eric Clapton-Motherless Child

I would call around to the local grocery stores and ask the butcher shop if they have them and what days. They probably have a few days a week when they butcher the hams and could set one aside for you.

I see them sometimes in the grocery store. Otherwise, you can go to the deli counter and ask for a slab of ham cut off the deli meat. I get a 1/4 lb or 1/2 lb chunk sliced off the ham then cube it to put in peas or beans.

Anonymous wrote:I use a ham hock. It has bone in it, plus some meat on it, that flakes off nicely for chopping and adding back to the soup. I get the ham hocks from South Mountain Creamery, but if you ask at the butcher counter your grocery store they might have some in back.

Yes, I just made the most marvelous split pea soup with smoked ham hock, don't bother with the raw ham hock.

I too was able to get some yummy salty meat off the ham hock at the end. The only thing with the bone, is I think it would be a bit healthier. The fat in the ham hock bothers me, but it sure does make it rich and yummy.

I use a ham hock. It has bone in it, plus some meat on it, that flakes off nicely for chopping and adding back to the soup. I get the ham hocks from South Mountain Creamery, but if you ask at the butcher counter your grocery store they might have some in back.

I think they have them at the butcher counter, but maybe they don't.

yes, you could use a ham hock or salt pork but absolutely nothing flavors like the bone for soups and stews. wish I could help but I've been looking for a couple of years myself. Only thing I have found are ones they have seasoned for dogs.

You can ask the butcher at the grocery store.

Bethesda farmer's market (Sunday mornings.)

A ham hock or a big piece of slab bacon will work just fine.

If you want little pieces of ham in it, you can also add a diced up 8 ounce ham steak you can buy at the grocery store.

With salt pork or the ham hock do you have to boil it to release some of the salt?

Salt pork is commonly used.

Don't you just buy a ham hock? I'm not a soup or a ham expert, but I thought that's what you used.

I'd really like to make green split pea soup. The best ones I've tasted have used a ham bone, but I really don't want to buy a huge ham just for the bone. Do they sell these separately at the grocery store? I've never seen them.

I could probably use bacon as an alternative, but thought I'd ask if anyone has a suggestion. Thanks.