Weekly Taste Bud #3 Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

I totally love this idea, if you freeze your ham bone from Easter this is an awesome way to use it and to me this is a great time of year for soup because you get those cool rainy damp spring days where a cup of soup is oh so good, and it’s a slow cooker recipe for busy working families this one is perfect!

1 bag or (16 oz.) pkg. dried green split peas, rinsed
1 ham bone, 2 ham hocks, or 2 cups diced ham
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 ribs of celery, chopped
1 or 2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, or 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
1 tbsp. seasoned salt (or to taste)
1/2 tsp. fresh pepper
1 1/2 qts. hot water

Preparation-
Layer ingredients in slow cooker or crock pot in the order listed; pour in water. Don’t stir ingredients, cover and cook on High 4 to 5 hrs or low 8 to 10 hrs until peas are soft and ham falls off bone.
Remove bone and the bay leaf. Smash the peas to thicken more, if desired. Serve garnished with croûtons. Makes about 6 to 8 servings.