Split Pea Soup


Directions

Heat peas and water to boiling in 4-quart Dutch oven. Boil uncovered 2 minutes; remove from heat. Cover and let stand 1 hour. Stir in onion, celery and pepper. Add ham bone. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 1 hour 30 minutes or until peas are tender. Remove ham bone; remove ham from bone. Trim excess fat from ham; cut ham into 1/2-inch pieces. Stir ham and carrots into soup. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 30 minutes or until carrots are tender and soup is desired consistency.

Ingredients

   2 1/4 cups dried split peas, (1 pound), sorted and rinsed
   8 cups water
   1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
   2 medium celery stalks, finely chopped (1 cup)
   1/4 teaspoon pepper
   1 ham bone or 2 pounds shanks
   3 medium carrots, cut into 1/4-inch slices (1 1/2 cups)