Criollo Ham and Bean Soup

2 ham hocks or 1 ham bone
6-8 cups water
½ med onion, chopped
3 cans pinto beans, drained
1/3 cup sofrito
1  8oz can tomato sauce
1 cup diced tomatoes, Italian Style
½ cup cilantro, diced
1 tbsp olives
1 tsp capers
sprinkle Chayanne Pepper (optional, very hot)
salt and pepper to taste
green onions to decorate

Add the ham bone or ham hocks to a crockpot and fill with 8 cups water or more to cover bones, add the chopped onion. Cook for at least 5 hours on high or overnight, or leave it to turn on when you leave for work in the morning.

At end of cooking time, remove the bones. Pick off any meat left on the bones and add back to the pot. Transfer the soup to a large caldero and add the rest of the ingredients, except for the green onions. Cook this on the stove for another 30 minutes or so over high heat. Sprinkle green onions over each plate of soup.

This is a delicious, soup with lots of broth.

Serve with warm garlic buttered Italian bread