cajun inspired ham and bean soup

Ingredients

• 1 - 1 1 /2 cups canned great northern beans, rinsed
• 5 cups water or chicken stock
• 2 cups canned diced tomatoes (do not drain)
• 1 leftover ham bone
• 1 cup coarsely chopped ham, optional
• 1 large sweet onion, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped green pepper
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped celery
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon bottled hot pepper sauce
• 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt