Slow Cooked Split Pea Soup

Slow cooked pea soup.


Ingredients:

•1 (16 oz.) pkg. dried green split peas, rinsed.
•1 meaty hambone, 2 ham hocks, or 2 cups diced ham.
•3 carrots peeled and sliced.
•1/2 cup chopped onion.
•2 ribs of celery plus leaves, chopped.
•1 or 2 cloves of garlic, minced.
•1 bay leaf.
•1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, or 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes.
•1 tbsp. seasoned salt (or to taste).
•1/2 tsp. fresh pepper.
•1 1/2 qts. hot water.

Preparation:

Layer ingredients in slow cooker in the order given; pour in water. Do not stir ingredients. Cover and cook on HIGH 4 to 5 hours or on low 8 to 10 hours until peas are very soft and ham falls off bone. Remove bones and bay leaf. Mash peas to thicken more, if desired. Serve garnished with croutons.

Serves 8.