White Bean and Vegetable Soup

Preparation

1. Step 1

   In a heavy kettle cook the salt pork over moderately low heat, stirring, until it is crisp, transfer the cracklings with a slotted spoon to paper towels, and reserve them. In the fat remaining in the kettle cook the onion, the garlic, the bay leaf, and the rosemary, stirring, until the onion is softened, add the celery, the carrots, the turnips, the potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces, the beans, 4 cups of the broth, and 6 cups water, and simmer the mixture, covered, stirring occasionally, for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the beans are tender. Stir in the spinach is cooked, and stir in the wine, the additional broth or water to thin the soup to the desired consistency, and salt and pepper to taste. Discard the bay leaf, simmer the soup, stirring, for 5 minutes, and serve it sprinkled with the Parmesan and the cracklings if desired.

2. To Quick Soak dried beans:

   Step 2

   In a colander rinse the beans under cold water and discard any discolored ones. In a kettle combine the beans with enough cold water to cover them by 2 inches, bring the water to a boil, and boil the beans for 2 minutes. Remove the kettle from the heat and let the beans soak, covered, for 1 hour.