How long will my ham last?

[Retrograde]

8. Twelve pounds of ham for one person!?

That's a lot of ham! I try to buy the smallest I can find with a bone (because it goes great in bean dishes), and use it up within a few weeks.

Hams were designed to be kept for a long time, at least traditional brined or smoked ones were. (when I once visited my rural in-laws I got to meet this year's pig, eating watermelon rinds in its pen, and last year's pig, hanging in the smokehouse). I'd keep it in the fridge - but not wrapped in plastic: I've accumulated a lot of reusable take-out containers during lockdown, and I find those are better for storing food. 4-6 weeks seems reasonable to me if you keep it covered and refrigerated. I've never frozen the meat - although I have ham rinds and bones in the freezer.