MAMA'S HAM DUMPLINGS

Mama's Ham Dumplings image

Provided by @MakeItYours

Number Of Ingredients 8

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The bone from a whole ham or 3 pounds ham hock or knuckle
3 quarts cold water
1 large white onion, peeled and halved
1 large carrot, peeled and cut in large chunks
6 whole peppercorns, plus whole black pepper in a mill
1 recipe Raised Dumplings (recipe follows)
1 cup leftover boiled (or raw) country ham cut into julienne
1/4 cup chopped parsley plus 2 tablespoons for garnish, optional

Steps:

Put the bones into a large stockpot, and pour the cold water over them. Turn on the heat as low as you can get it, and bring the water slowly to the boiling point, carefully skimming off the film as it pops to the surface. It will take about 45 minutes.
Add the onion, carrot, and peppercorns. Simmer slowly for at least 1 hour-2 is better. Strain (discarding the solids), return the broth to the pot, bring it back to a boil, and reduce it to 1½ quarts (about half).
Make the dumplings according to the recipe. Drop them a few at a time into the simmering broth, and let them simmer for 5 minutes. Add a dusting of freshly milled pepper, stir in the ham and parsley (if using-my grandmother didn't), and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes more. Ladle onto a serving platter or individual soup plates, garnish with more parsley, and serve at once.