Place ham hocks, onion and garlic into a large cooking pot. Add enough water to fill the pot about 3/4 full. Boil 1 to 2 hours or until the hocks are tender. Add pinto beans and water as necessary and continue cooking 1 to 2 hours more until the beans are done. If you soaked the beans before hand, the time required for this part may be reduced. If you like them zesty, a couple of Jalapeno peppers may be added here. Taste is important here. I like to cook mine until the beans begin to fall apart and the broth begins to look like thick bean soup, but I feel this greatly enhances the flavor.
Serves 6-8.
