Lemon-Scented Chicken Soup with Parsley-Sage Matzo Balls

Ingredients

1 4 1/2- to 5-pound chicken, cut into 8 pieces, rinsed well, excess skin and fat cut away and discarded

Boiling water

5 quarts cold water

1 tablespoon coarse kosher salt

1 pound onions, quartered

1 1-pound yam (red-skinned sweet potato), peeled, cut in half crosswise

3/4 pound carrots, peeled, thickly sliced

1/2 pound parsnips, peeled, thickly sliced

4 large celery stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces