Step 1: Put all the ingredients into a stockpot and cover with cold water by about 3 inches. Bring to a boil over medium heat, reduce the heat to low, and simmer, partly covered, until the beans are very tender. This can take anywhere from 1 1/2 - 4 hours. Skim any foam that rises in the pot as the beans simmer and keep an eye on the water level. Add boiling water if you need to, to keep the beans covered.
Step 2: Toss out the rind, onion, carrots, celery, rosemary stems (don't worry about the needles), and bay leaf. You can leave the beans, in their liquid, covered, in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days. The beans will keep in the freezer for a couple of months.
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