Crockpot Monday: Split Pea Soup

Did you have ham for Christmas (or New Years)?  If you did — did you save the ham bone????

I had a ham bone in my freezer …. since … well, actually I think it was from last Christmas!  I had frozen it and was waiting for the perfect time to use it.

Have you ever been put off of Split Pea Soup because of the color?  I admit, I have!  However, this tastes sooo good, and is so creamy, without anything but the split peas and water!

This soup is practically free.  The split peas cost me less then $2, and the carrots and garlic I already had in the house.  Totally works with my post-Christmas budget!

I hardly ever make split pea soup, so this was a treat!  If you wanted to, you could even make this a vegetarian soup and leave out the ham.  However, it really flavors the soup.  I did not even have to add any salt or herbs or spices to this!  I think my favorite part of having ham is saving the ham bone!

Split Pea Soup

Print this recipe!

Serves 4-6

1 lb dry split peas

2 carrots, peeled and cubed

2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed

1 ham bone

4 cups water

Place all ingredients in the slow cooker.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours.  Add more water if needed.  (I ended up using about 6 cups water).

If the meat hasn’t fallen off the ham bone, cut it off the bone and place the ham and bone back in the soup -  depending on how long you cook this, the meat just might fall off the bone!

Discard the bone when you are finished cooking the soup.

Serve!

Honestly, could this soup be any easier?  I put everything in the crock pot, let it cook away, and went on with my day.

Question:  Do you have any other uses for an old ham bone?

This is being shared on Monday Mania.