What’s another hearty soup that’s perfect in this cold weather and pairs well with warm cornbread?  Split pea soup!  I usually make split pea soup when we’ve had ham.  It’s a great way to use the ham hock or ham bone without throwing it away.  Split pea soup can also be made without pork.  For my vegetarian friends, click here for the vegetarian recipe.

Homemade Split Pea Soup Recipe
Recipe adapted from Irma Rombauer’s The Joy of Cooking

small ham hock or a ham bone
2 cups green split peas, rinsed and sorted
8 cups of cold water
1 large carrot diced
1 large celery rib diced,
1 medium onion diced
1 bell pepper diced
2 garlic cloves minced

Combine the ham hock or ham bone, split peas and water in a large pot. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for an hour.

Stir in the diced vegetables and minced garlic.  For a more festive color, I use a combination of red, yellow and orange bell peppers.

Simmer until the ham hock and peas are tender, which is about another hour.  Season with salt and pepper.

Remove from heat and remove the ham hock or ham bone. Throw away the bone, skin and fat. Dice the meat and return it to the soup. Some people like it soupy while others like it thick. For a thicker soup, simmer to the desired consistency.  Stir to blend before serving.  Serve with a piece of warm homemade cornbread or crusty bread.

Split pea soup freezes beautifully.

Click here for the recipe for homemade cornbread.

Homemade Vegetarian Split Pea Soup
2 cups green split peas, rinsed and sorted
4 cups of vegetable broth
4 cups of water
1 large carrot diced
1 large celery rib diced,
1 medium onion diced
1 bell pepper diced
2 garlic cloves minced

Bring the split peas, water and broth to a boil in a large soup pot. Reduce the heat and simmer for an hour. Stir in the diced vegetables and minced garlic.  Simmer for another hour or until the peas are tender.   Season with salt and pepper.  For a thicker soup, simmer to the desired consistency.  Stir to blend before serving.  Serve with a piece of warm homemade cornbread or crusty bread.

Split pea soup freezes beautifully.