Peachy
Culinary Explorer
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ham hock or leftover ham bone
- 2 cups dried split peas, rinsed and drained
- 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: chopped fresh parsley for garnish
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery, and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add the ham hock or ham bone to the pot, along with the dried split peas and chicken or vegetable broth.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer, covered, for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the peas are tender and the ham is falling off the bone.
- Remove the ham hock or bone from the soup and shred any meat, discarding any excess fat or bone.
- Return the shredded ham to the pot and season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
- If desired, use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup for a creamier texture, or leave it chunky if you prefer.
- Serve the pea and ham soup hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired.


