Ham & Bean Soup

Yesterday we made a big pot of ham and bean soup, using the bone from our Christmas ham. The recipe came to us from my Dad. It's hearty, warming, delicious and easy.

Ingredients
1 ham bone (leave some meat on it)
1 pound navy beans
4-5 quarts of water
2 russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 small onion, diced
4 carrots, sliced
6 whole allspice
1 cup ketchup

Directions
Soak the navy beans overnight the day before you want to make the soup (or use the quick soak method on the bean package).

Put all the ingredients (except ketchup) in a large soup pot. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer for two hours. Add 1 cup ketchup and simmer another hour. Remove bone (shake off any meat that hasn't fallen off on its own into the soup) and allspice. Season to taste.

Enjoy!