Ingredients:

•   1  -  16 oz. bag of dried split peas  -  ( I use " Hurst's HamPeas " when I can find them - " see photo below " )
            ( Any other type " bag of Split Pea's " will also work )  -  ( see Tip #1 )

•     1/2 - teaspoon of ground cloves  -  ( or about 10 whole cloves  -  " optional " but better with )

•     1  -  tablespoon of celery seeds.

•     1  -  small-medium onion diced.

•     1/3  -  Cup of Shredded carrots cut into smaller pieces&  nbsp; -  ( " optional " but better with )

•     Salt & Pepper to taste.

" Use prior to starting Slow Cooking: "

•   1  -  32 oz. box of Chicken Stock  -  ( or broth  -  or even vegetable stock )

•   6  -  cups of water.

•   10  -  teaspoons of Orrington Farm's Ham Broth Base & Seasoning  -  ( or other brand  -  See photo below )
            ( Ham Broth Base & Seasoning will give you that ham seasoning missing since you don't have a bone in Ham )

" To use later during Slow Cooking: "

•   Some type of boneless Ham to include:

  • Leftover or purchased cooked " boneless ham "  -  ( from the " Holiday Ham " or other leftover ham )

  • I use " Kentucky Legend Ham " when I make this recipe.  -  ( see Tip #2 )

•   1  -  Cup of dry Ditalini pasta.

Directions:

          ( " Note: " Only take the slow cooker lid off when directions call for it and at no other time )

1.   In a soup pot add the Chicken Stock ( or broth ) and the 6 cups of water.

2.   Then add the 10 teaspoons of Ham Broth Base & Seasoning and stir until seasoning is mixed in.

3.   And then heat just until it starts to boil.

4.   While pot is heating add your Split Peas to your slow cooker.

5.   Then add the cloves, celery seeds, diced onion, carrots, salt and pepper to the Slow Cooker.
      ( If you found the Hurst's HamPeas add the " flavor packet " in this step )

6.   Once the stock and water are heated " carefully " pour it into the slow cooker and then stir.

7.   Cover and cook on high for " 2 hours ".

8.   Take the lid off and stir with a large slotted kitchen spoon until the split peas are separated.
      ( I know its unusual to do this with a slow cooker but it helps to breakup the split peas )

9.   Put the lid back on your slow cooker and cook on high for " 2 more hours ".

10.   Then take the lid off again add your boneless ham and Ditalini pasta and stir again mixing well.

11.   Put the lid back on your slow cooker and cook on high for " 1 hour ".

12.   Take the lid off again ... stir ... and serve.

    

          The reason I try to find and use " Hurst's HamPeas " is due to the fact that a " Ham Flavor Packet " is included with them which always adds that much more flavor to your " Split Pea Soup ! "  -  ( Note: Add the Flavor Packet in Direction # 5 above )

          The Hurst's Brand beans come in a lot of different variety's for multiple Ham Soups, Chili, Garlic Lemon Lentils, Italian Style beans, etc. and they can be found in the " Delaware Stores " and " New York Stores " noted below.

Go to their website to see the " type of beans " they have,
plus " some recipes " as well by clicking on their logo below:

          Sometimes when I get a hankering for some good " Split Pea Soup " and if I don't have any type of " ham bone " to give me the base flavor ... I go a completely different way ... besides lately good smoked ham hocks have been hard to find for me ... maybe it has something to due with the COVID-19 stuff .....

So this is what I do:

• I buy a " Kentucky Legend Sliced Quarter Ham ", and I try to find the " Original Hickory Smoked Flavored One ", that we normally find locally at Wal-Mart's and/or Food Lion.

• I try to find some " Hurst's HamPeas " ( which have a ham flavor pack included ) .

• Then I mix in " 10 teaspoons " of " Orrington Farm's Ham Broth Base & Seasoning " ( pictured below ) to the 6 cups of water.   That adds the flavor necessary since I don't have a " Ham Bone " and the soup comes out very good.

To see more about the " Kentucky Legend Ham "

" Click Here ! "

        

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or at ( russpickde@comcast.net )

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