Fall is fast approaching and with the cooler temperatures, soup is always a welcome finish to any day. The best soup recipes are the ones that combine an abundance of healthy, filling ingredients and a quick preparation time.

This recipe for split pea & ham soup definitely meets both of these requirements. This soup is very quick and easy to prepare and cooks on high in the crockpot. The base of this recipe is dried split peas, which are one of the world’s most healthy foods.

Chopped carrots, celery, onion, parsley and ham are added to the split peas, along with low sodium chicken broth. Season with fresh cracked black pepper and a little dried thyme. Be careful not to add any additional salt until the soup is done as the ham will add a good amount on its own.

This soup is hearty and full of flavor and will keep you full for hours from all of the fiber. I hope that you enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

• 16 oz. bag green split peas – rinsed & drained
• 2 carrots – chopped into small pieces
• 2 stalks of celery – chopped into small pieces
• 1/2 cup sweet onion – chopped finely
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley – chopped
• 1 cup chopped ham*
• 32 oz low sodium chicken broth
• Water – as needed
• 1 tbsp. fresh cracked black pepper
• 2 tsp. dried thyme

DIRECTIONS

Place first 6 ingredients in crockpot, along with chicken broth. Season with pepper and dried thyme. Once all ingredients have been mixed, taste the broth to make sure it is not too salty. If the broth is too salty from the ham, add water until it is to your liking.

Cook on high for approximately 6 hours. The soup is done once the peas have broken down and the soup has become very thick.

This soup works very well to reheat and serve the next day. You may need to add additional water or broth when reheating to thin out the soup.

*There are a couple of types of ham that can be used in this soup. The best and most tasty kind is the leftover ham bone from a large ham. If using this type, simple place the ham bone in the soup and cook as directed. Before serving, remove from the soup and pick all of the meat off of the bone and return the meat to the soup. If you do not have a ham bone, you can buy a large, thick slice of cooked ham and simply cut it into small cubes.