Mom'S Minestrone - cooking recipe

Ingredients

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

Preparation

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