Rinse and clean the beans.

This recipe doesn't call for soaking the beans, but feel free to do so if that is your preferred method, which will reduce the cooking time by 45 minutes or so.

Place beans in a pot with the ham bone and cover with water (6 cups or so).

Add the baking soda, pepper, sugar, garlic and onion.

Cook over medium heat.

Partially cover the pot with a lid or use a lid with vents.

Cook for 1 hour.

Add the ham (if there was ham on the bone you can remove it now and chop it up, and put the bone back in the pot) and cook for 30 minutes.

Taste and add salt if desired.

Cook for another 30 minutes or until the beans are tender.

Stir occasionally.

If the beans start getting dry, add hot water to the pot.

You want a bit of thick liquid left with the beans when done.

Remove the ham bone before serving.

*This recipe courtesy of Penzeys Spices.*