Southern beans and snaps

I love holidays. The family love, the get-togethers and especially the food. I love also creating different kinds of dishes with the leftovers. There are times where I do not want to wait until a holiday to have holiday food or holiday leftovers. Beans and snaps are one of those dishes that gives you the holiday feel but it is pretty versatile. I normally make it when I see that my local grocery store has smoked shank pieces on sale for $.98 per lb.. Also using ham hocks or even a smoked turkey leg or wing would work!!! It is super delicious using any ham bone, which puts off a lot of flavor and there is also some meat on it. Win win!!! You can always add more ham if you like or if you don't have any... You could add bacon, salt pork or anything that's going to have the same type of flavor to go with that bone. Plus I add hot sauce which makes it zesty comfort food!! And if that didn't win you over it is made in the crock pot!!! I hope you enjoy this as much as we do!!

Southern Beans and Snaps

1-3 lb. smoked shank pieces /Leftover ham bone /hamhocks /smoked turkey wing or leg if you're watching your cholesterol...(any ham bone with meat on it will work).

1 bag (2 lb.) frozen field peas and snaps

4-6 oz. Louisiana hot sauce (more or less if you like)

Appx 3 cups of water or broth (making sure to cover the beans completely)

1 large onion cut into rings

Salt to taste

cooked rice

optional sliced scallions

Place the ham bones in the crock pot. Put onions in the crock pot surrounding the bone. 

Pour the field peas and snaps in a top the onion. Add any additional meat you would like to add (bacon, salt pork , more ham, leftover turkey...go crazy!) 

Add hot sauce...  

Normally this would be the time I would say add salt however your ham is going to be quite salty and if you are using broth you might want to wait until the beans are tender and you can taste and add salt as needed!

Pour water/broth in making sure to cover the beans well. 

Cook on low for about 8-10 hours.

Remove the bones, remove meat from the bones and add back to your crock pot.

Serve on a bed of your favorite cooked rice topped with optional scallions and more hot sauce if you like and enjoy!!!