Black Bean Soup#3

1/2 c Oil, olive

1/2 lb Salt pork -- diced

1 lb Ham hocks -- 2" pcs.

8 lg Onions, chopped

6 Garlic cloves -- minced

6 Celery stalks -- chopped

2 lb Beans, black

1/2 ts Pepper, cayenne

4 ts Cumin, ground

4 cn Chicken Broth (large)

1/4 c Vinegar, wine

1 c Sherry, dry

Condiments

Heat oil in a 10 to 12 qt. pan over med. heat. Add salt pork, ham, onion, garlic, celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegs. are very soft and lightly browned (abt. 40 min.) Rinse and sort beans, drain, and add to pan along with red pepper, cumin and broth. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat, cover and simmeer until bean mash easily--2 to 3 hrs. (If using ham hocks, remove & cool. Shred meat & return to pan--discard skin & bones.) Skim and discard fat from soup. Whirl soup, a portion at a time, in blender or food processor until smooth. Stop here if serving next day. Cover and refrigerate. Return soup to pot and heat to steaming, stirring often. Blend in vinegar and sherry. Pass condiments at table to add to individual servings. CONDIMENTS: Arrange in separate bowls: 3 lb. warm kielbasa, cut into 1/2" slices; 6 cups hot cooked rice; 8 hard boiled eggs chopped; 2 cups small sweet pickle spears,and 2 cups diced bell pepper. Unknown source.