Wash and look thru beans, removing any bad ones.
Cover in several inches of water in pot with lid to soak overnight.
--OR the fast-soak method - bring to boil, cover and let simmer 10 minutes, turn off heat and let set for an hour.
Drain water and rinse beans.
Note - 1 lb dry beans = about 2½ cups dry, about 8 cups cooked.
Crockpot
Put into crockpot, and fill with fresh water 1 inch or so from top. Add a piece of hamhock or any other meat you like. Cook on high for about an hour-and-a-half, turn on low for 6 hours.
Stovetop
Add hamhock, beans, and fresh water. Bring to a boil. Turn on low, covered for about 3 - 4 hours. Add a little water if it gets low.
Add salt to taste when beans are fully cooked.
►Serve with pan-fried cornbread. Yummy! =)
We mix cornbread as usual, and fry in a pan with a little butter. We like it this way because you get more of the outer crust.
Some people like to cook pintos with chopped onion, or a couple of jalapeƱo peppers with seeds scraped out and discarded (
wear gloves!), and/or a few peeled cloves of garlic.