Elise Bauer

olive oil

chopped yellow onion

bay leaves

stalks of celery, chopped

garlic, peeled and minced

whole sugar pumpkin, halved, seeds scooped out, flesh peeled, and cut into 1-inch chunks (resulting in 3 1/2 cups or 1 pound of chunks)

 pound ham hock

chicken stock

of whole peeled tomatoes, drained OR 1 large fresh, ripe tomato, peeled and chopped

sprigs of thyme, tied with string (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)

of cannellini white beans, rinsed and drained

large Swiss chard leaves (can substitute kale), center rib removed, leaves roughly chopped

Freshly ground black pepper