Ingredients:

• 1 pkg. (4 cups) mixed beans (½ cup each pinto, navy, red kidney, split peas, black beans, lima beans, lentils, black-eyed peas)
• 2 Tbsp salt
• 4 quarts water
• Heavenly Ham bone or 2 ham hocks
• 2 large onions, sliced
• 2 16 oz cans tomatoes, broken up
• 1 large red bell pepper, chopped, (optional)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Pinch of ginger
• Salt & pepper

Directions:

Wash and pick over beans. Place in a large kettle. Add water to cover and stir in salt. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Drain beans. Add 4 qts. (16 cups) of water, ham bone and onions. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer and cook for 2½ to 3 hours. Remove ham bone and take meat off, cutting it into bite size pieces.

Add tomatoes, red pepper, garlic, lemon juice, ginger and salt & pepper to taste. Simmer until ready to serve. Soup may be frozen.

Makes 12-16 servings