First off, I hope the water measurement was a typo, in any case, try the following: Cover Ham Hock and sliced or you can dice them, portugese sausage with water and bring to boil.(I use one Hot and one regular flavored sausage, this is what gives it its' flavor)Lightly boil until meat is temder and can be removed from bone easily. Remove Ham hock and remove meat and place back in pot. Add diced onions, potatos, carrots,beans and tomato sauce. If you are adding a can of diced or stewed tomatoes, add it now. Bring to boil, let simmer for 30 mins. Cabbage is usually optional, but if your adding it, add it now and simmer until it cooks down. Now add 1/2 lb of macaroni noodles, bring to boil, turn down heat to simmer until noodles are tender, stirring frequently. Serve alone or over rice with crackers or crusty bread. what every you desire. This is a great hearty soup, especially on a cold hawaiian night, not to mention a freezing cold mainland night.

Too much macaroni. I had to add another can of tomato sauce and another quart of water and it definitely is missing some type of flavor, but I can't pinpoint it. My son added salt for taste because it was bland. Will try it again with my adjustments

For Hawaiian style, cut the potato and add canned tomato with the tomato chopped

I loved this soup and so did everyone else who tried it. The only thing i couldn't understand was the water quantity "2 quarts wasn't enough". It even sounds ridiculous when considering all of the ingredients. I cut down on some of the ingredients and still needed about 4 quarts of water. I would have given it 5 stars if the water quantity wasn't so far off.

Yay! I was looking for a good portuguese bean soup recipe to remind me of home (Hawaii) and this one is excellent! Really simple and perfect for colder weather. Love it!