1 cup dry pinto beans
1 cup dry Christmas lima beans
4 cups beef broth, chicken broth and/or water
1 small chopped onion
2 gloves garlic, minced
1 cup small pasta pieces
1 bunch Italian flat leaf parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
OPTIONAL ADD IN
1 cup chopped prosciutto or ham
In a large pot, cover beans with a couple of inches of water, bring to a boil.
The, remove pot fro heat and allow mixture to sit for an hour.
In separate small pan, sauté onion, garlic and parsley.
Once beans have soaked for a hour, drain the pot.
After that, pour a quart of water or broth over the beans.
Stir in onion, garlic and parsley, plus meat, if desired.
Boil gently until beans are very soft. Keep about 2 inches of liquid in the pot the entire time.
Add I cup small pasta pieces. Cook gently until past is soft.
Salt and pepper to taste.