Description
A hearty soup made with green split peas, vegetables, and ham hocks, offering a comforting and delicious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb. green split peas (2¼ cups, no soaking required)
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 medium sweet onions (chopped)
- 2 stalks celery (chopped)
- 2 medium carrots (peeled and chopped)
- 1 clove garlic (peeled and smashed)
- 1½ tsp chopped fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried)
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 ham hocks (well-rinsed)
- 2½ quarts low-sodium chicken broth
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 splash of lemon juice
- small toasted croutons (to garnish, omit if gluten-free)
- chopped fresh parsley or chives (to garnish)
Instructions
- Pick over the peas and remove any stones. Rinse and drain the peas.
- Warm the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrot. Cook until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Place peas in the pot, along with the thyme, bay leaf, ham hocks, and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.
- Skim the fat/scum off the top of the soup for several minutes, until the scum ceases to rise. (This is optional.)
- Partially cover and simmer for about 1½ hours, or until peas are tender, stirring occasionally in case they stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Remove the ham hocks and bay leaf from the soup. Discard the bay leaf and set ham hocks aside to rest while you puree the soup, then shred or dice meat portion into pieces.
- Using an immersion blender, blend the soup right in the pot until desired consistency is reached. Alternatively, transfer soup to a blender (in batches) and purée until smooth. (If you want a super smooth soup, pass the purée through a sieve.)
- Return the puréed soup to the pot and heat back up until steaming. Stir the ham meat into the pureed soup. Stir in the lemon juice. Taste and add in a pinch of salt and pepper, if necessary.
- Ladle into bowls and garnish with croutons and parsley or chives.
Notes
- This soup can be made gluten-free by omitting croutons.
- For a richer flavor, use homemade chicken broth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 30mg