Great Northern Bean Soup

1 pound dry great northern beans
4.5 quarts water
2 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 T Flour
1 large onion chopped
1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup celery chopped
1/4 cup parsley chopped
1 can Hunt's diced tomatoes or 2 cups ripe tomatoes chopped
salt and pepper to taste
2 cup ham, cubed

Sort & rinse beans well and drain. Return beans to a pan; cover with water and soak overnight. The next day drain beans; add *2.5 quarts fresh water. In a sauce pan heat olive oil. Add flour, cook until golden. Add onions, green pepper, celery and garlic, Cook until wilted. Add mixture and remaining ingredients to the beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer partially covered for 1 hour or until the beans are tender. Enjoy !
*Add more water as needed if beans are not tender.
***Note - if you forget to soak overnight. Sort & rinse beans, add water, ham, salt & pepper and bring to a boil, lower heat and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Then add the remaining ingredients & cook until tender. Serve with whole wheat bread.

Serving Size: Makes 13 servings

Number of Servings: 13

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user SANDYBEACHES52.