Black Bean, Sausage, And Sweet Potato Soup

Directions

1. In a 4-qt saucepan simmer beans, garlic, bay leaf, allspice, broth, and 5 1/2 c. water, partially covered, till beans are tender, about 50 min. Throw away bay leaf. In a blender pur0e 1 c. beans with 1 c. cooking liquid and return to pan.
2. In a small bowl stir together tomato paste and remaining Tbsp. water and stir into beans with sausage and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer soup, covered, 15 min. Soup may be prepared up to this point 3 days ahead, cooled, uncovered, and chilled, covered.
3. While soup is simmering, peel sweet potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch pcs.
4. In a steamer set over boiling water steam potatoes, covered, till tender, about 10 min. Stir potatoes, scallions, and salt and pepper to taste into soup.
5. Serve soup garnished with scallion greens.
6. Makes about 8 c., serving 4