Split Pea Soup with Ham Hocks

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely diced
• 2 celery stalks, finely diced
• 2 carrots, finely diced
• 1-pound bag split peas, rinsed and picked through
• 1 1/2 pound smoked ham hock
• 2 quarts chicken stock, water, or combination
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

In a large saucepan, saute onion, celery and carrots over medium-high heat. Add peas and ham hock and cover with stock by a couple inches. Bring to a simmer and cook about 1 hour until soup is thick and peas have almost disintegrated but not quite. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Remove ham hock and let cool. Pull meat from ham hock bone and shred. Garnish with ham and pepper.