ham hocks and white beans

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion
• 3 - whole cloves
• 10 cups water
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 6 - smoked ham hocks (about 3 pounds)
• 4 - bay leaves
• 3 cups coarsely chopped leek dark green tops
• 3 - garlic cloves
• 2 - celery stalks, coarsely chopped
• 1 - carrot, coarsely chopped
• 1 - thyme sprig
• BEANS
• 1 1/2 cups dried great northern or other small white beans
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 6 - sun-dried tomato halves, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups chopped leek bottoms
• 1 1/2 cups chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped carrot
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 2 - garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• GARNISH:
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions