Combine onion, celery, carrots, broth, ham and seasoning (and potato if you are using it) in a dutch oven. Cover and cook over medium -high heat for 20 minutes or until carrots are almost tender. Stir in peas. MIx 1/4 cp water in a bowl with cornstarch and add to stew. Stir constantly until stew comes to a boil and thickens. Serve hot. This stew also freezes well. Posted to Digest eat-lf.v097.n016 by jneger@juno.com (Nicki A Eger) on Jan 17, 1998