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Ham Soup

A Polish Family Recipe

By Joyce O’DayPublished 11 months ago 1 min read
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Photo by author

The smell reminds me of Christmas dinner: smokey ham, earthy carrots and potatoes, and a hint of black pepper.

The sound reminds me of family long gone: talking, laughing, and reminiscing.

The feel reminds me of the passing of time: stringy ham, creamy cubes of potatoes, dense rounds of carrots, smooth pieces of onion, and random bits of yellow split peas that did not cook down - all lovingly prepared by hand.

The taste reminds me of my mother: a Jewish woman who married outside her faith, refused to keep kosher, and learned to cook from her Polish in-laws.

The sight reminds me of my childhood home: where after every Christmas and Easter dinner we enjoyed this favorite meal.

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About the Creator

Joyce O’Day

After retiring from teaching world history for over 20 years, I am living every day on holiday: enjoying life with my family, traveling, gardening, engaging with my community in Las Vegas, and reflecting on the current state of the world.

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