Sauerkraut and Bean Soup - Lidia

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups dried Borlotti beans or cranberry, red kidney, pinto, or white beans
• 3 quarts cold water, plus more for soaking the beans
• 3 large russet (Idaho) potatoes, peeled
• 4 fresh or dried bay leaves
• 1 ½ teaspoon peperoncino (crushed red pepper)
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 pound sauerkraut
• 1 recipe Trito (see here)
• 1 medium size onion, peeled and chopped (about 2/3 cup)
• 4 ounces cured, fresh or smoked pork butt, or two smoked ham hocks (about 12 ounces)
• salt
• Freshly ground pepper