Ingredients
- 2 okra (sliced)
- 1 hen
- 2 quarts water (cold)
- 2 1/2 quarts tomatoes (fresh)
- 1 1/2 pounds chuck
- 2 cups baby lima beans
- 2 cups kernel corn (fresh whole)
- 1 cup snap beans
- 1 pound pork backbone (lean)
- 1 cup peas
- 1 1/2 cups onion (chopped)
- 1 cup potatoes (diced)
- 3/8 cup butter
- 2 tablespoons pepper (dried red)
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1 teaspoon coarsely black pepper (ground)
- 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns (whole)
Put chicken, beef and pork into a very large kettle with the cold water, salt, peppercorns, and red pepper. Cover and cook slowly for 2 hours, or until meat is tender and falling off bones. Remove and discard bones, gristle, fat. Reserve stock. Cut meat into cubes or dice and return to stock. Add all remaining ingredient. Cover and cook slowly for several hours. Check ooccasionally during this cooking time, and if stew is not thickening up satisfactorily, remove lid and let stew continue to simmer uncovered. Makes about 1 1/2 gallons.