Creole Red Beans and Rice (Louisiana French)

This is a favorite New Orleans lunch.

1 pound dried red kidney beans
1 (1 1/2 pound) ham hock or ham bone with generous amount of meat
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon sugar
1 jalape