A warming soup for a winter day.

On the day of cooking 

1. Peel the carrots and potatoes and dice them; remove the strings from the celery and dice it;
2. remove the large ribs from the cabbage and slice it into strips; 
3. clean the leek; remove half the green part; cut into rounds; 
4. sauté the celery, carrots and cabbage in a little oil or butter in a pot; 
5. add the barley, leek, potato and ham bone and cover with water; 
6. 30 minutes before serving add the ham; 
7. season with salt and pepper (be sparing with salt because of the ham); add the cream at the last moment, if desired.