Winter in the North Country is cold, and nothing warms you up body and soul like this hearty dish. It freezes well, so spend a free day making a large batch and tuck it away for a quick meal when your time is tight.

Enjoy!

Ingredients:

3 to 4 lbs. smoked ham (butt or shank)

1 small head green cabbage, quartered

4 medium potatoes, washed and halved

6 to 8 large carrots, cut into large chunks

Generous grind of black pepper

Water to cover

Combine ham and cabbage in a large kettle and cover with cold water. Simmer together for 1 hour. Add in potatoes and carrots and continue cooking until vegetables are just tender. Serve with a hearty bread.

Serves 4 with leftovers.

Note: Any leftover vegetables can be pureed with the cooking liquid for a marvelous soup base. Try adding in some cooked beans, lentils or split peas and chop some remaining ham into the mix. Freezes well.