White Bean and Ham Soup - Recipe

Cucina Casalingo's Note:

I was looking for a recipe to use parmesean cheese rinds and found this recipe. The rind is the outer edges, furthest away from the center, of cheese that has been formed into a disk or wheel of cheese. On some types of cheese, the outside of the cheese is often a wax coating covering the Rind which is the section closest to the outside that begins to harden as the cheese ages. Since the hardened Rind is not considered to be good for eating or grating, it often cut from the cheese and used as a seasoning for foods. The Rind from Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese is very popular as a flavoring to be added to soups, stews, dried beans, soup broth, and canned or fresh vegetables. To save the Rind for future use, wrap it in airtight plastic and freeze. A combination of ingredients makes this soup similar to Italian soups - a very hearty ham and bean soup that goes well with crusty breads and cheese.

• Total Time: 2 hrs
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 16 ounces dried great northern beans
• 1 cup diced yellow sweet onion
• 3 garlic cloves , diced
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 ½ quarts chicken broth or 1 ½ quarts stock
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 cups peeled and diced potatoes
• 2 stalks celery , diced
• 3 carrots , peeled and diced
• 2 ½ lbs ham shank
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
• -inch piece parmesan rind

Directions:

1. Soak beans overnight in salt water, drain.
2. In bottom of stock pot, add oil and sauté onions and garlic over medium heat until softened (about 4 to 5 minutes).
3. Remove from heat.
4. Add remaining vegetables, seasonings, ham shank, drained beans, parmesan rind, and chicken stock or broth.
5. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook 1 1/2 hours.
6. Remove ham shank and rind from soup. Allow ham shank to cool slightly. Remove meat from bone. Discard bones, fat, and skin. Add meat to soup.
7. Continue cooking on simmer for an additional 30 to 45 minutes or until beans are soft.