Mom'S Minestrone

• 1 small (2 lb.) Daisy ham or 2 lb. pork ribs
• 5 qt. water
• 3 Tbsp. salt (less needed with ham)
• 3 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large onion, minced
• 1 large potato, diced
• 2 large carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 c. shredded cabbage
• 1 lb. fresh green beans or pkg. frozen
• 1 lb. frozen peas
• 1 can kidney beans with juice
• 1 can chickpeas
• 1 large can tomato paste
• 1 Tbsp. sugar
• sprinkle ground red pepper
• sprinkle parsley flakes
• dash of ground black pepper

1. In large pot place first 3 ingredients and cook 2 hours; skim fat.
2. Add all remaining ingredients and cook for 1 hour, medium to simmer, stirring occasionally.
3. Then cook ditalini (soup pasta) of desired amounts and add to small amounts of soup.

ham, water, salt, olive oil, garlic, onion, potato, carrots, celery stalks, cabbage, fresh green beans, frozen peas, kidney beans, chickpeas, tomato paste, sugar, ground red pepper, parsley flakes, ground black pepper

Taken from www.cookbooks.com/Recipe-Details.aspx?id=935388 (may not work)