Over the years these have become a Christmas Eve tradition at our house but because we were leaving the day after Christmas, I didn’t make them on Christmas Eve so I decided to make them today.  Christmas Eve is really about the only time we have them.  This recipe came with a crock pot I bought once a long time ago.  So good!

1 1/2 pounds (3 cups) dry navy beans

1 pound ham, cubed

1 medium onion, chopped

1 1/2 cups ketchup

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1 1/2 cups water

1 tablespoon dry mustard powder

1/4 cup molasses

1/2 teaspoon salt

Cover beans with 3 times their volume of salted water in a large stockpot and bring to a boil.  Boil for 10 minutes.  Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 1/2 hours or until beans are tender.  Drain beans and put in crock pot.  Add ham and onion.  (I was using already cooked ham so I didn’t add it until the last 30 – 60 minutes of cooking time.)  Combine remaining ingredients in a separate bowl then add to crock pot and mix well.  Cook on low 10 – 12 hours or on high  – 6 hours, stirring occasionally.