Grandma’s Pumpkin Soup

3 lbs ham hocks

1 medium pumpkin, cubed 1-1/2”

2 large potatoes, diced

Parsley bouquet (8-10 sprigs)

2 (16-oz) cans tomato sauce

1 lb. Portuguese sausage

2 T. sugar

5 #2 cans kidney beans, undrained

Cover ham hocks with water and bring to a boil Pour off water and add fresh water to cover. Boil again then simmer until ham falls from bones. Remove ham, chop into small pieces. discarding bones and thick skin. To the broth, add potatoes, tomato sauce. sugar and kidney beans and cook for 30 minutes. Add pumpkin and parsley bouquet and cook until pumpkin is done, at least another half hour. Cook sausage separately and add at table. Remove parsley before serving. To make a thicker soup, mash a portion of the pumpkin. perhaps about half. Serves 6-8.