Ham, Green Bean, Potato, & Bow Tie Pasta Soup is a staple of the Pennsylvania Dutch. This delicious soup is a complete meal with protein, vegetables, and starch.
Table of contents
Ways to Make Ham & Potato Soup
This recipe has many variations like the type of ham, like ham hock or ham steaks, but the basic ingreadients are almost always the same. Another variation is what type of potato to use, in this recipe we used baby red potatoes but many use russet potatoes. The other major variation is what type of pasta to use. Some recipes call for egg noodles but we chose bow tie pasta becasue that is what we are use to in this soup.
How to Store Ham & Potato Soup
Store this ham and potato soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To freeze this soup allow it to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze in the freezer for up to 3 months.
History of the Ham & Potato Soup
Although we are not sure who first put ham, potatoes, green beans, and pasta into a soup, the Pennsylvania Dutch have perfected it and is probably most famous for it.
The City of Hanover, Pennsylvania
Hanover is a borough in York County, Pennsylvania, 19 miles southwest of York and 54 miles north-northwest of Baltimore, Maryland, and is 5 miles north of the Mason-Dixon line. The town is situated in a productive agricultural region.
A Brief History of Hanover, Pennsylvania
Native American peoples, probably “Lenape” of the Delaware tribe, made use of the abundant resources found in the area along with much of southeastern Pennsylvania. Ultimately, the land became under the control of the William Penn family who, through an aggressive settlement campaign, eventually moved the Native populations further westward.
In 1727, John Digges obtained a grant of 10,000 acres of land where Hanover is now located from Charles Calvert, the fourth Lord Baltimore. Maryland and Pennsylvania hired British experts Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon to survey what became known as the Mason–Dixon Line. This line was surveyed between 1763 and 1767 and put an end to decades of disputes over rights and ownership.
During the American Civil War, the Battle of Hanover was fought on June 30, 1863. Union cavalry under Judson Kilpatrick encountered Confederate cavalry under J.E.B. Stuart and a sharp fight ensued in the town and in farm fields to the south, particularly along Frederick Street.
Tourism in Hanover, Pennsylvania
Hanover is a small Pennsylvania town full of history, beautiful architecture, unique eats, and superb shopping. The town is conveniently located within minutes of York, Gettysburg, and Baltimore, Maryland. So much to do in Hanover; geocaching, mini-golfing, and the Largest Arcade in Pennsylvania. From the bustle of shopping at the Clarks Outlet and on “The Golden Mile,” to the tranquil scenes of hiking Codorus State Park and boating on Lake Marburg, Hanover has something to please anyone with a spirit of adventure and desire to discover.
The PA Dutch Cuisine
Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine is the typical and traditional fare of the Pennsylvania Dutch and reflects influences of the Pennsylvania Dutch’s German heritage, agrarian society, and rejection of rapid change. It is extremely common to find Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine throughout the Philadelphia/Delaware Valley region.
– Featured Restaraunt –
Dutch Country Restaurant
946 Baltimore St, Hanover, PA 17331
Telephone: +1 717 632 1616
Take time to learn about our rich heritage and appreciate the history of Dutch Country. Like most businesses that started from humble beginnings, ours is no different. We hope that you enjoy this historical view of the restaurant you’ve come to enjoy. Our past has a key role in what we are today and tomorrow.
How to Make This Ham & Potato Soup Recipe
We used cooked ham for the soup but if you use raw ham, like a ham shank, you will need to add time to thoroughly cook it. Also, you will want to add the pasta and green beans during the last 15 minutes of the cooking process to avoid overcooking both.
What You Need to Make Ham & Potato Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup red onions chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 7 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups ham cooked and chopped
- 2 cups red potatoes chopped
- 1 tbsp Italian Bruschetta Seasoning Mix
- 2 cup bow tie pasta (a.k.a. farfalle)
- 2 cups long green beans
How to Cook Ham & Potato Soup
Time needed: 40 minutes
Cooking Directions for Ham & Potato Soup
- Saute the Onions
In a large pot or a dutch oven, sauté the onion in oil for 3 minutes.
- Cook the Garlic
Once the onions are softened add the 3 cloves of minced garlic to the pot and cook an additional minute.
- Simmer the Soup
Next, dump the ham, green beans, potatoes, and chicken broth into the pot and cook over high heat until the soup comes to a rolling boil and then reduce the heat to achieve a gentle boil. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add the Pasta
Add the bow tie pasta and green beans to the pot and cook for an additional 15 minutes.
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Ham, Green Beans & Potatoes
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Equipment
- 1 Knife
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup red onions chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups ham cooked and chopped
- 2 cups red potatoes chopped
- 1 tbsp Italian Bruschetta Seasoning Mix
- 2 cup bow tie pasta (a.k.a. farfalle)
- 2 cups long green beans
Instructions
- In a large pot or a dutch oven, sauté the onion in oil for 3 minutes.2 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 cup red onions
- Once the onions are softened add the 3 cloves of minced garlic to the pot and cook an additional minute.3 cloves garlic
- Next, dump the ham, green beans, potatoes, and chicken broth into the pot and cook over high heat until the soup comes to a rolling boil and then reduce the heat to achieve a gentle boil. Simmer for 15 minutes.2 cups ham, 2 cups red potatoes, 8 cups chicken broth, 1 tbsp Italian Bruschetta Seasoning Mix
- Add the bow tie pasta and green beans to the pot and cook for an additional 15 minutes.2 cup bow tie pasta, 2 cups long green beans
Nutrition
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Photo Credits:
- By Taste The World Cookbook – Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
- By Dutch Country Restaurant – By http://dutchcountryrestaurantpa.com/
- By Idawriter, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=53629218
- By JOHN LLOYD – originally posted to Flickr as Hanover, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10637878
- By Brent Moore – https://www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/34989669794
- By Joseph – https://www.flickr.com/photos/josepha/25172338473
- By Jon Dawson – https://www.flickr.com/photos/jmd41280/5013571648
