Ever since I was a little girl, 10 or so years ago, I remember having my mom’s ham and green beans. I’m sure I’m not the only gal from the Midwest who has grown up with these as a way of life. I LOVE ‘EM!

• Fresh green beans, washed, snapped at each end and broken in half
• 2 Ham hocks or a small smoked ham cut into bite-sized pieces
• Water to cover beans
• Pepper (not necessarily freshly ground)

Place the fresh green beans into a large pot, cover with water, add ham, or ham hocks and cook 3 hours.  The smell of the beans cooking throughout the house is so “homey!”

(P.S. If using ham hocks, when the beans have cooked, take the ham hocks out of the pot until cool enough to handle – but still nice and warm – cut the meat away from the fat, placing the meat back into the pot.)