My Iowa friend brought these balls over and my hubby couldn’t stop eating them!

– 3/4 cup brown sugar
– 1/4 cup vinegar (apple cider or white)
– 1 teaspoon dry mustard
– 1/2 cup water
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a baking dish.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground ham, ground pork, graham cracker crumbs, milk, onion, beaten egg, and pepper. Remember, getting in there with your hands is the best way to mix it all up – just like our grandmas used to do.
3. Shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls, and place them in the prepared dish, snuggled up against each other to form a cozy community.
4. In a small saucepan, whisk together the brown sugar, vinegar, dry mustard, and water over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
5. Pour this glistening glaze over the ham balls, letting it seep down around them like a warm, sweet blanket.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, until the tops are golden brown and the glaze is bubbly, giving them a gentle baste with the glaze now and then.
Variations & Tips
– For a different texture, you can substitute the graham crackers with quick oats.
– To infuse just a hint more of Iowa into the mix, a splash of your favorite local honey in the glaze can do wonders.
– These ham balls can be made ahead, refrigerated, and then popped into the oven before your company arrives. They reheat like a dream, too.
– For smaller gatherings, feel free to halve the batch, but be warned – they’re so moreish, leftovers are a rare sight.
These Iowa Baked Ham Balls are more than just a meal; they’re an edible connection to our past and a surefire way to create cherished memories around your own family table. Now, go on and whip up a batch, your loved ones will be singing your praises till the cows come home.