1 lb. great northern beans (white)
1 c. chopped celery
3/4 c. chopped carrots
1 chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, chopped or whole
2 med. size potatoes, diced
3 sm. ham hocks, smoked
1 c. chopped ham
Salt & pepper to taste

Wash beans and place in a heavy aluminum pot with cover. Cover with about 5 quarts water. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let soak for about 1 hour. Add ham hocks (cut up) and cook for about 1 hour. Add remaining ingredients and cook for about 1 1/2 hours.

After it is cooked, you can pick the meat from the ham hocks and leave in the soup or you can discard the whole thing.

Good served with a Caesar salad, Italian or French bread and red wine.