Black eyed Peas with ham hocks

2 smoked ham hocks
1 tbsp. hot sauce
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 bay leaves
1 tbsp. minced garlic
1 chopped onion
1 lbs. dried black eyed peas, soaked overnight

Place ham hocks in a pot. Cover with water. Add hot sauce, black pepper, bay leaves, minced garlic and onion. Simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Add soaked black eyed peas. Simmer uncovered an additional 1 1/2 hrs, adding additional water as needed. Remove ham hock, allow to cool. Remove and mash 3/4 cup of black eyes peas, stir back into pot to thicken. Remove meat from ham hock, shred, add back to pot. Add salt if needed.