Shaker Bean Soup

• 1 lb. Northern beans
• 2 ham hocks (small ham chunks optional)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• 2 carrots, shredded
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1/2 tsp. thyme
• 1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 1/2 c. shredded spinach leaves (fresh)

1. Cover beans with water and bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 1 hour.
2. Drain beans.
3. Put beans and ham hocks in 3 quarts of water.
4. Bring to boil, then simmer, covered for 1 1/2 hours.
5. Remove bones.
6. Then add onion, ham, celery, salt, pepper and thyme.
7. Simmer, covered, for 1 hour.
8. Add tomatoes and brown sugar.
9. Cook for 10 minutes.
10. Just before serving, add spinach.
11. Yield: 5 quarts.

northern beans, ham hocks, onion, celery stalks, carrots, salt, pepper, thyme, tomatoes, brown sugar, shredded spinach leaves

Taken from www.cookbooks.com/Recipe-Details.aspx?id=905565 (may not work)