Banana's Black Bean Soup

Courtesy of Jennifer 12/14/14.

Serves 12 or more

• I Lb Black Turtle Beans

• ¾ gallon cool water

• 1-1/2 lbs Ham Hocks

• 2 Bay Leaves

• 1/8 tsp Tabasco

• 2 Green Peppers, diced

• 2 Lg Yellow Onions, diced

• 4 stalks Celery, diced

• ½ clove Garlic, minced

• 2 Tbs Olive Oil

• Salt & Pepper

• 6 Tbs Diced Red Onion

• 6 Tbs Cooked Rice

• 6-12 tsp Cider or Red Wine Vinegar

Rinse beans and soak in water overnight.

Cook beans in the water in a 1-1/2 – 2 gallon pot.

Add Ham hocks, bay leaves and tobacco. Do not add salt.

Cover and simmer until beans are tender (3-8 hrs). Add water, as needed.

When beans are about ¾ cooked, saute green peppers, yellow onions, celery, carrots and garlic in olive oil until barely soft. Add to beans. Finish cooking. Add Salt and Pepper.

When ready to serve, add ½ Tbs diced Red Onion, ½ Tbs cooked Rice and ½ - 1 Tbs of vinegar to each serving.