Delicious Split Pea and Leftover Ham Soup Recipe

This Split Pea and Leftover Ham Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish that is perfect for using up leftover holiday ham. Made with split peas, vegetables, and the delicious flavors from ham, this soup is hearty, nutritious, and easy to prepare. It can be enjoyed as a main course or as a satisfying side dish. Serve it hot with some crusty bread for a complete meal that will warm you up on cold winter days.

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried split peas
• 1 leftover ham bone (with some meat)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, diced
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a large pot, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, diced celery, and minced garlic. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the split peas, ham bone, bay leaves, dried thyme, and broth to the pot. Stir well to combine. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 1 hour or until the split peas are tender and starting to break down.
3. Remove the ham bone from the pot and let it cool slightly. Remove any meat from the bone and chop it into small pieces. Return the meat to the pot.
4. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, use an immersion blender to blend some of the soup until smooth for a thicker consistency. Alternatively, you can use a regular blender to puree a portion of the soup and then return it back to the pot.
5. Simmer the soup for an additional 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Taste and adjust the seasonings if necessary.
6. Serve the Split Pea and Leftover Ham Soup hot, garnished with some fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy!

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