Cabbage and White Bean Soup
1 small head green cabbage, about 1 lb.
2 slices bacon
1 onion
1 carrot
2 stalks celery
1 can (about 1 lb.) white beans: Great Northern, cannellini
2 teaspoons salt, or more, to taste
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
water
Discard any damaged outer leaves and shred (slice thinly, then chop) the cabbage. Chop the onion, carrot and celery. Dice the bacon. Drain and rinse the beans. In a heavy 3 quart or larger saucepan over low heat, cook the diced bacon until crisp. Raise the heat to medium, add carrots, onions and celery, cook and stir until onions are soft--about 5 minutes.(If this produces too much grease, drain off the excess) Stir in the cabbage and add water to cover--about 1 quart. Add salt, pepper and beans. Cover and simmer until cabbage is very soft--about 1 hour.