When a whole ham, which is from the hind leg of a pig, is cut in half, the top half is called the butt, and the bottom half is called the shank. The shank cut looks a little like a triangle, sometimes with a bit of skin left close to the smaller end where it tapers down. It comes from the lower portion of the leg. Ham steaks are cut from the shank. As you might guess, the butt cut is more rounded and comes from higher up on the hip. I prefer the butt cut and think the meat is more flavorful and tender. However, it is a little harder to carve into pretty slices. Either cut works in this recipe.