leftover Ham Bone
1 pound pinto beans -- dried
salt -- to taste
pepper -- to taste
2 freezer container -- quart
Rinse and sort pinto beans.
Place in large bowl and add water until beans are covered 3 inches deep.
Soak overnight.
Next morning, place ham bone and soaked, drained beans in crock pot; add water to cover.
Cook on High for 6 to 8 hours, until beans are tender and meat has separated from bone.
Carefully remove ham bones and fat, returning slivers of meat to beans; season to taste.
To freeze: place Pinto beans in freezer containers. Freeze.
To prepare: thaw beans completely before heating.
Heat in saucepan over medium heat until hot.
Serve with cornbread and green salad.