Ingredients
- 3 ounces pancetta, thinly sliced and diced (about 1/2 to 3/4 cup)
- 1/3 cup small diced leeks, white and light green parts only, (about 2)
- 1 pound sunchokes, peeled and diced
- 1/4 cup seeded and diced roasted pasilla pepper
- 1/2 cup peeled and small diced yellow onion (about 1/2 onion)
- 1 cup peeled and diced carrots, (about 2 large)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound smoked ham hocks
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 pound dried split peas
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup heavy cream, optional
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- Goat Cheese Croutons, recipe follows
Directions
In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, saute the pancetta until just starting to brown. Remove from the pot, and drain on a paper towel lined plate. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the leeks, sunchokes, pasilla pepper, onion and carrots. Let cook for 5 to 6 minutes, then add in the garlic and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more. Make a well in the middle of the veggies, add the olive oil, and cook for 1 minute, then add the ham hocks. Cook the ham hocks, turning every 2 minutes, until all sides are warm and starting to lightly brown. Add the chicken stock and the peas. Bring to a simmer and cook for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in freshly cracked pepper, to taste, and remove the ham hocks from the pot to a cutting board. Let them cool for a few minutes and with a fork, shred the meat and add to the soup. Stir in the heavy cream and the vinegar. Ladle the soup into serving bowls and serve with the goat cheese croutons. Sprinkle with rendered pancetta and a crack of black pepper and serve.
Goat Cheese Croutons:
- 6 ounces goat cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
Combine all the ingredients, except the panko, in a small bowl.
Form into a log shape and wrap in plastic wrap. Freeze for 30 minutes or until firm. While in freezer, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Remove the cheese from the freezer and slice into 1/4-inch rounds. Flatten each slice with your palm or hand, and press into the panko crumbs. Arrange on a silicone baking mat or parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 8 minutes, then turn over and continue to bake for 6 to 8 minutes more. Cool and store in airtight container in the refrigerator.

















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By karen052059_7546538
Glenview, IL
on October 16, 2011
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I think the reason this recipe only has 2 ratings is that nobody can find sunchokes. I've wanted to make this recipe for awhile and went to 3 stores yesterday looking for sunchokes with no success. So, instead of the sunchokes I diced and added a large parsnip and the soup was absolutely delicious. After doing a little research, I learned that sunchokes are in season from late October until the end of March so I will definitely make again with the sunchokes. The goat cheese croutons were phenomenal and really kicked the soup up a few notches. I will never make ordinary split pea soup again as this will be now my standard "go to" split pea recipe!
By hartman.melissa...
boise, 51
on February 24, 2011
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Absolutely amazing! The whole family loved this soup, even my one-year-old daughter couldn't get enough. I did roast a poblano pepper because that is what I had in the house, but it made for a wonderful flavor.
By scottbox
on December 14, 2010
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Got some sunchokes and wasn't sure what to do with them. Stumbled onto this recipe. We love split pea soup, so I make this version. It is delicious! Very unique flavor and easy to make! Oh, I didn't add as much vinegar. I advice tasting as you add to get it just right.
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