Hearty Split Pea and Ham Soup

Rinse the split peas under cold water and remove any debris.

In a large pot, combine the split peas, ham hock, chopped onion, carrots, celery, garlic, chicken or vegetable broth, and bay leaves.

Bring the soup to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the split peas are soft and the soup has thickened.

Remove the ham hock from the soup and shred the meat, discarding the bone and any excess fat.

Return the shredded ham to the pot and season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.

Ladle the split pea soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired. Serve hot.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 1 hour 30 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes | Kcal: 250 kcal | Servings: 6 servings