Method for Boiling Ham (Use first 9 ingredients):  Place ham in a heavy bottom black iron pot or Dutch oven. Surround the ham with all of the sliced fruit, grapes and cloves. Add root beer and dust with cracked black pepper and file. Bring to a rolling boil and reduce to simmer. Boil approximately 1 hour and turn ham over and continue boiling until root beer is reduced to a thick syrup.

 

Remove ham and set aside. Continue to reduce syrup until it is the consistency of molasses. CAUTION: Do not scorch. Remove syrup and place in a mixing bowl, allow to cool and reserve for later.

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In the mixing bowl, combine remaining ingredients, including reserved syrup. Using a wire whisk, blend all spices into the mustard mixture until well incorporated. Place ham in center of Dutch oven and coat completely with the sweet mustard mixture. Bake uncovered for 1 hour.

 

You may wish to decorate the ham for the table centerpiece. If so, use a sharp paring knife to cut slits on 1/8" deep diagonally across the ham. Continue in the same pattern from the opposite side until even triangles appear from the cuts. Stuff with cloves and, using toothpicks, secure pineapple slices or fresh strawberries to the top of the ham before baking.