VEGETABLE CHOWDER Minestrone alla Milanese

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb Salt pork
• 2 quarts Cold water
• 2 sprigs Fresh parsley
• 1 stalk Celery (Quantity estimated (not specified in original recipe))
• 1 clove Garlic
• 1/2 cup Peas (leftover) (Quantity estimated (not specified in original recipe))
• 2 Carrots
• 1 tablespoon Butter
• 1/4 medium sized Cabbage
• 1/2 cup Rice (Quantity estimated (not specified in original recipe))
• 1 teaspoon Salt (Quantity estimated (not specified in original recipe))
• 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper (Quantity estimated (not specified in original recipe))
• 1 scant cup Dried beans (Lima or kidney), soaked overnight

Instructions

1. 1Cut off the rind of the salt pork and put it into 2 quarts of cold water to boil. Slice off a small piece of the pork and beat it to a paste with the parsley and garlic. Add this paste to the pork and water.
2. 2Slice the carrots, cut the rib out of the cabbage leaves. Add the carrots, cabbage leaves, other vegetables, seasoning, and butter to the soup, and let it boil slowly for 2 1/2 hours.
3. 3During the last 1/2 hour, add 1 small handful of rice for each person.
4. 4When the salt pork is very soft, remove and slice in little ribbons and put it back.