Ham, Red Potato and Green Bean Soup

Summary

• Source: Combination
• Genre: Soup/stew
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 2 hours
• Servings: 6-8

Ingredients

• 2 pounds cottage ham, cut into 1 inch square chunks (I'd never heard of a cottage ham before this meal; several people and recipes indicate that smoked sausage is a fine replacement)
• 2 large white onions, cut into 1 inch squares
• 1-2 cups low-sodium vegetable stock/broth
• 2-3 tbsp seasoning salt
• 2-3 tbsp freshly-ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp fresh garlic, diced
• 2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed
• 2 pounds red potatoes, quartered

Directions:

1. Place ham into a large pot or dutch oven (I used a 5 quart cast iron Dutch Oven and it was VERY full by the time the meal was done). Add onions and chicken stock. Bring the pot to a rapid boil. Cover the pot and reduce heat to a simmer. Let simmer for 1 hour.
2. When the hour simmer is nearly done, prepare vegetables by trimming the ends of the beans off and quartering the red potatoes.
3. When the ham has finished its hour simmer, add seasoning salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic to the pot. Stir well. Add green beans and potatoes to the pot. Re-cover and simmer for another hour, stirring occasionally.

Recommendations

• Serve with home-made cornbread, preferably prepared in a cast-iron skillet.