Old Fashioned Split Pea Soup with Ham

How to make Old Fashioned Split Pea Soup with Ham Recipe - Split peas are peas that have been dried until they split into two parts. Either yellow or green peas can be used in this soup.

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients:
2 cups split peas
10 cups boiling water
1 (12- to 16-ounce) ham hock
1 large onion, chopped
1 carrot, diced
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Salt to taste

Method:
Wash and pick over peas. Place in a deep pot with boiling water.

Add ham hock, onion, carrot and pepper. Simmer, covered, 1 to 1-1/2 hours or until peas are creamy and onions and carrots are very soft.

Remove ham hock. Dice meat; discard bone. Return meat to pot. Skim off any excess fat. Taste and add salt, if necessary.