Wash and soak 2 1/2 cups beans overnight. Drain and place in 3 quart pot. Cover with 2 quarts water and add 3 trimmed ham hocks. Simmer 2 1/2 hours. Then add:

1 lg. onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 lg. can whole tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, crushed
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. sugar
Salt & pepper to taste

Simmer 30 minutes more. For extra flavor, add last 30 minutes: 1 pound sausage or ground beef, browned and well drained. Serves 10. Freezes well.