Wash and soak overnight or 4 hours or so 1 pound marrow fat, navy, pea, or great northern beans. Add water to make 5 quarts. Add a smoked ham bone with some meat on it (a sizeable ham hock may be used). Simmer about 2 hours or until beans begin to mush.

Add 3 medium potatoes which have been mashed, 1 cup each chopped onion and celery, and 2 cloves minced garlic. Simmer 1 hour. Remove bone, cut up meat and return to soup. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Makes about 4 1/2 quarts. Freezes well.