A comforting and flavorful soup made with split peas and ham, perfect for a cozy meal.
Prepare the vegetables by peeling and chopping the carrots, onion, and celery into small pieces.
Uniformly chopping the vegetables ensures even cooking and a consistent texture.
Rinse the split peas under cold water to remove any debris.
Rinsing the peas helps remove any impurities and ensures a cleaner flavor.
Layer the ham bone, chopped vegetables, rinsed split peas, and seasonings in the slow cooker.
Layering the ingredients in this order helps distribute flavors evenly during cooking.
Pour the hot water over the ingredients in the slow cooker.
Using hot water helps speed up the initial cooking process.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or until the peas are soft and the ham is tender.
Avoid opening the lid during cooking to maintain a consistent temperature.
Remove the ham bone and bay leaf from the soup. Shred any remaining ham and return it to the soup.
Shredding the ham allows it to integrate better into the soup, enhancing the flavor.
Stir the soup to combine all ingredients and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Taste the soup before adding more seasoning to avoid over-salting.
Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Serving the soup with a slice of crusty bread makes for a complete and satisfying meal.