Pour the dried black beans into a large colander. Sort through and remove any stones or debris you see.
Rinse the beans well under cool running water.
Transfer the beans to a large pot or Dutch oven. Pour in 8 cups of water, then add the cumin, olive oil, salt, and a few twists of black pepper, as well as your country ribs(if using).
Bring everything to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, lower the heat and let the beans simmer uncovered.
Start checking for doneness after 1 hour, and then every 15 minutes. Depending on the age of the beans, cooking time can range from 1 hour to 2½ hours.
Make sure the beans stay covered with water. Add more hot water to the pot if the level gets too low.
During the final few minutes of cooking, stir in the grated garlic.
Taste and adjust seasoning. If you like, add chili powder, dried oregano, or more salt and pepper.
Let the beans cool in their cooking liquid—it will thicken nicely as it sits.
Before serving, you can stir in some lime juice, a bit of zest, or chopped cilantro for a fresh finish.