Sometimes they are prepared with only salt if one is shy of other ingredients. Combinations of added ingredients are to folks' liking and around here people put jalapeno peppers in about everything. If you want the beans to remain whole, use a crock pot and cook them all day. As with all Southern cooking, add a pinch of sugar to bring out the flavor. If this is what it sounds like to me, it is a staple meal in the South.
Folks love beans and cornbread.
Beans are, alas, a stormy vegetable, and people have resorted to many strategies to keep the thunder at bay. Artusi suggests one select thin-skinned beans, but this is not always possible. The above generated quite a bit of commentary, and I am much indebted to Kaye Noble for searching the Net on the subject. It is delicious cooked in soups, stews, and salads. A firm texture and sweet, nut-like flavor makes this bean a favorite.