Green Plantain Soup

Ingredients

 * 1 lb. salted beef
 * 2 scallions
 * 4 c. fresh water
 * 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
 * 1 clove garlic
 * 1 Tbs. tomato paste
 * Few sprigs parsley
 * 1/2 c. chopped celery
 * 11/2 c. shredded cabbage
 * 2 very green plantains
 * 2 celery stalks, with leaves
 * 1 bay leaf, slightly crushed
 * 3/4 tsp. salt
 * 1 cinnamon stick

Directions

 * 1) Place the beef in a heavy kettle with water, garlic, parsley, celery stalks, scallions, bay leaf and salt; bring to a brisk boil.
 * 2) Reduce heat and simmer until meat is tender.
 * 3) Strain broth, discarding the vegetables.
 * 4) Dice the beef and set aside.
 * 5) Return the broth to the fire and bring again to a gentle boil.
 * 6) Add to the broth Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, and chopped celery.
 * 7) Slice plantains into thick rounds and fry in two or three Tbs. butter until golden.
 * 8) Pound each round with a wooden mallet until flat, and add immediately to the soup.
 * 9) Simmer an additional fifteen minutes.
 * 10) During the last few minutes of cooking time add cabbage, diced beef and cinnamon stick.
 * 11) Discard cinnamon stick before serving the soup.