1 lb. black beans
3 med. chopped onions
5 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. black pepper
Cayenne pepper to taste
3 smoked ham hocks
2 qts. water
2 green peppers in strips
2 bay leaves
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. salt

Pick out broken beans. Wash well and soak overnight in 2 quarts water. Next day pour beans in a 4 quart kettle and boil in same soaking water. Cover and cook on medium heat.

In skillet, saute onions and green peppers in olive oil until golden. Add crushed oregano, bay leaf, cumin, etc., as above.

Cook slowly until beans are tender, 5 to 7 hours. Serve over white rice and top with chopped onions.