Cannellini Beans

Name: Cannellini Beans
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 2 h 30 min
Total time: 2 h 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups dried cannellini beans; 2 shallots (peeled and quartered); 1 garlic bulb (top evenly sliced off); 1 fennel (white bulb, chopped, tops and fronds, cut into large 4-inch pieces (the tops will be removed toward the end)); 1 teaspoon sea salt (more to taste); Freshly ground black pepper; 1 (3-inch) piece of kombu, rinsed, optional* (see note); 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (more for drizzling); 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (more to taste); 1 bunch Swiss chard (stems removed, leaves torn); Crusty bread (for serving); 2 tablespoons chopped parsley; Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)