Recipe: Split Pea Soup with Ham

Split Pea Soup with Ham

1 pound split peas
1 large onion, halved and sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
5 cups chicken stock
5 cups water
1 meaty ham bone
1 pound carrots, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 pound ham, coarsely shredded
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Rinse split peas well, drain and set aside.

Heat oil and garlic in an 8 quart pot and saute onion and garlic until onion is translucent, about 4-5 minutes.

Add water, chicken stock, split peas and ham bone. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours.

Stir into pot carrots, potatoes, ham, salt, if using, black pepper and 1/4 cup of the parsley. Cover and simmer 45 minutes.

Remove bone from pot. Shred any meat on bone and add to pot. Serve soup in bowls sprinkled with remaining parsley.