Cover beans with water, by about an inch or more. Set aside for 8 hours to soak.
3 hours before beans are done place ham hocks in a pot, cover with water.
Bring hocks to a boil, cover, turn down to a simmer. Check water level periodically to add more if required. If using fixed ham, do not do these hocks steps.
When hocks have simmered for 3 hours, pull hocks out, place on a plate to allow to cool.
Place soaked beans in large pot. Add 8 cups of hock broth and water to bring it to 8 cups.
Bring beans to a boil, turn down heat to a simmer, cover. Stir ever 10-15 minutes
After hocks cool down, remove bones, shred/chop meat and skin to bit sized pieces.
After beans have simmered 1 1/2 hours)
Chop one large onion (yellow or sweet is what I usually use), add to beans, stir
Adds ham hocks or if using diced ham to beans, stir
If using a premixed add season packet. Or add spices in ingredients list, not both!
Simmer for 30 minutes, serve
