1 ham bone
1 small onion, chopped very fine 1 stalk celery, chopped very fine
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 carrot, chopped very fine
2 or 3 tablespoons whole parsley leaves
4 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon flour
1 can tomato sauce
1 large (16-24oz) can tomatoes
1 bay leaf
pinch of thyme
several whole allspice
several cloves
dash of Tabasco Sauce
1 heaping teaspoon sugar

Place a ham bone in a medium stock pot or Dutch oven with the chopped onion, garlic, celery, carrot, and parsley leaves. Sauté with 4 tablespoons butter until the onion is softened and golden. Stir in a tablespoon or so of flour. Add the tomato sauce and tomatoes. Add the bay leaf, thyme, allspice, cloves, a dash of Tabasco Sauce, and sugar.

Simmer over low heat, uncovered, for 30 to 40 minutes. Strain before serving, if desired, or use a hand blender to make a smooth sauce.