#96 - Aldine Baked Beans

(by Lillian Boyer)

1 lb. jumbo marrow beans (dry, uncooked)
1/2 lb. bacon
1 TBSP salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 cup white sugar

Wash the dry beans in cold water. Place the beans in a large bowl and cover them with water. Let the beans soak overnight. The next day pour the beans/water into a large pot. Add the salt and cook/stir over medium heat until the beans are tender (make sure you test one bean to make sure). Remove from heat. Fry all of the bacon, then cut the bacon into small pieces. Add the bacon pieces, 3 TBSP of the bacon grease, the pepper and the white sugar to the beans--stir well. Pour the entire mixture into a Dutch oven. If there is not enough liquid covering the beans, add enough water until beans are covered. Bake UNcovered at 300 degrees for 3 hours. Do NOT stir them or open the oven door during cooking. After 3 hours, stir well before serving.