Basque Soup

1/2 cup dried white beans such as Great Northern, navy, or cannellini, picked over and rinsed
1 whole clove
1/2 medium onion, peeled and left whole
2 1/2 lb smoked ham hocks(I used 4 strips of bacon, no ham hock)
1.5 qt water
3 fresh parsley sprigs
1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf(didn't have)
1 fresh thyme sprig
2 garlic cloves, smashed
.5 lb yellow-fleshed potatoes such as Yukon Gold (3 to 4 medium)
.5 lb cabbage, cored and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (3 cups)


Soak beans in cold water to cover by 2 inches at room temperature at least 8 hours, or quick-soak, or 12 hrs in fridge. Drain in a colander.

Brown cut up bacon in stock pot, drain of excess fat when done(Stick clove into onion. Bring ham hocks and 3 quarts water to a boil in a wide 6- to 7-quart heavy pot, skimming off any froth, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, 1 hour). Add beans, onion, parsley, bay leaf, thyme, and garlic and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until beans are almost tender, 40 to 50 minutes.

When beans are almost done, peel potatoes and cut into 1-inch pieces. Add potatoes and cabbage to beans, then simmer, uncovered, until vegetables are very tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

Remove ham hocks. When ham hocks are cool enough to handle, discard skin and bones, then cut meat into bite-size pieces. Stir into soup with salt and pepper to taste. Discard bay leaf and onion.

Serve soup with toasts.