Big Mama's "Chitlins"

Ingredients:

10-pound bucket fresh or frozen chitterlings
Cold water to cover
1 cup cider vinegar
5 bay leaves
2 large onions, coarsely chopped
2 large potatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped
1 green or red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and coarsely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Hot pepper sauce

If chitterlings are froze, thaw. Clean Chitterlings throughly, under running water, rubbing together and picking out debris and fat; rinse in several changes of cold water. Cut into 1 1/2 to 2-inch pieces, (if you desire. I cut mine up after they are cooked).

Place the cleaned chitterlings into a large pot; cover with water and vinegar. Add bay leaves, onions, potatoes, green or red pepper, garlic, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil; turn heat to low and simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until chitterlings are tender. remove from heat; drain well.

Serve with your favorite hot pepper sauce.

Makes 6 servings.