Charleston Okra Soup

Wonderful recipe for Charleston Okra Soup which I sometimes crave. Could not find this posted on Zaar. Out of Southern Livings Annual Recipes in 1984. Serve over yellow rice to go over the top !!

• Ready In: 1 hr 50 mins
• Yields: 3 quarts

Ingredients

• 4 (16 ounce) cans whole tomatoes, undrained & chopped
• 1 (1 lb)  ham hock
• 3  cups  sliced okra (about 3/4 lb)
• 1  cup fresh corn, cut from cob
• 1  cup fresh lima beans
• 3⁄4 cup  chopped onion
• 1⁄2 cup  diced green pepper
• 1  bay leaf
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
•  hot  cooked yellow rice

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients except rice in a large Dutch oven, brng to a boil.
2. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 1/2 hr, stirring frequently.
3. Remove bay leat & discard.
4. Remove ham hock from soup.
5. Remove meat from the bone and chop.
6. Add meat from the bone and stir well.
7. Place rice in bowls & ladle soup over rice.