Peasant Vegetable Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 c. dried white beans
4 Tbsp. olive oil
1 c. onion, chopped
3 leeks (white only), chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
1 tsp. thyme
1 bay leaf
8 c. vegetable stock
3 parsnips, peeled and chopped
1 ham slice, diced
1/2 small cabbage, shredded
6 garlic cloves, chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Pick over beans and rinse.
Soak overnight in water.
Saute onions, leeks, celery and carrots in oil and cook covered over low heat until tender, about 25 minutes.
Stir in thyme, bay leaf and stock.
Add parsnips, ham and soaked beans and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer partially covered until beans are tender, about 40 minutes.
Add cabbage and garlic and simmer for another 10 minutes.
Add salt and pepper to taste.