When I married Jim I became a part of the Begley family and have been introduced to many new traditions as well as food items they grew up eating. I will never forget the Christmas that the brothers kept talking about "handball" as an appetizer. I was too afraid to ask what the heck they were talking about, so I just waited until the holiday came to find out they were actually saying "ham ball."
It isn't the most attractive appetizer, but it is three important things:
Delicious
Easy to make
Special to the Begley boys
Thank goodness my Mother-in-Law is always willing to share her recipes with me.
Ingredients
1 block cream cheese, softened
1 package (around 9 ounces) of sliced deli ham
6 green onions, white and green parts chopped separately
1/2 tablespoon Lawry's seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
After you chop the green onions in half to separate the white and green parts, put the white halves in a food processor along with the remaining ingredients and whirl until everything is sliced, diced and mixed well. You should have a uniform pink mixture in the food processor.
Scrape the mixture out onto a pretty plate or bowl and form into a ball. Chop the remaining green onion tops and cover the pink ball. Cover and refrigerate until appetizer time.
Serve with crackers.