Step 1

Soak the beans in water (the water should rise a few inches above the beans) overnight. Drain beans through a colander before cooking.

Step 2

Add the beans, onions, celery, carrots, garlic, bay leaf, and ham hock to the slow cooker.

Step 3

Fill the slow cooker with water until just barely covering the beans.

Step 4

Cover and slow cook for 5 ½ -6½ hours on high, or 7 ½ -8½ hours on low, until beans have softened and begun to fall apart.

Step 5

Remove the ham hock or bone from the slow cooker and strip off any meat. Chop and add the meat to the slow cooker along with the Italian seasoning, remaining chopped ham, salt and pepper.

Step 6

Cover and cook for another 30 minutes.