Cabbage Soup

Ingredients:

3 1/2 quarts water
3-4 cups potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 1/2 lb piece of smoked, unprocessed ham
2 lbs cabbage, cored and roughly sliced
8 peppercorns, crushed
6 sprigs parsley tied with 1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp marjoram
1/2 tsp thyme
4 cloves garlic, mashed or pressed
2 medium onions, studded with 2 cloves
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 stalks celery, sliced
2 cups navy beans, cooked

Place water, potatoes and meat in large soup pot and bring to boil. Add the cabbage and remaining ingredients (with the exception of the navy beans) and simmer, partially covered for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until meat is tender. Discard parsley. Remove meat from the pan, slice it into serving pieces and return to the pot. Add navy beans and continue simmering 10-15 minutes. Skim off accumulated fat and adjust seasoning. Serve with toasted French bread slices. 8 servings.