Shaker Bean Soup

• 1 pound dried great northern beans
• 1 meaty ham bone or 2 smoked ham hocks
• 8 cups water
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 celery ribs, diced
• 2 medium carrots, shredded
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes in puree
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1-1/2 cups finely shredded fresh spinach

1. Soak beans according to package directions. In a Dutch oven, bring the beans, ham bone and water to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours or until meat easily falls off the bone.
2. Remove bone from broth; cool. Trim meat from the bone. Discard bone. Add the meat, onion, celery, carrots, salt, pepper and thyme to broth. Cover and cook for 30-60 minutes or until beans and vegetables are tender.
3. Add tomatoes and brown sugar. Cook 10 minutes longer. Just before serving, add spinach.

beans, ham bone, water, onion, celery, carrots, salt, pepper, thyme, tomatoes, brown sugar, fresh spinach

Taken from www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/shaker-bean-soup/ (may not work)