Saskatchewan Agriculture Awareness Month - Slow Cooker Ham and Split Pea Soup

Part #2: Slow Cooker Ham and Split Pea Soup

Now that the snow has fallen in much of Saskatchewan it feels more like winter and thus time for a slow cooker soup! Next up we have another recipe from our foodie - Kate. This soup uses three ingredients from Saskatchewan - garlic, ham and green peas. 

Garlic

Garlic is one of the many herbs and spices grown in Saskatchewan. It is planted in mid-September to mid October to allow the cold winter to break down dormancy that then allows the garlic to begin growing in early spring. It is believed that Russian and East European immigrants brought their own garlic when they moved to Canada. Because garlic is a hardy plant it adapts well to cool seasons it has been grown for years in our province.

Ham

Saskatchewan produces nine percent of all pigs in Canada. There are some obvious uses for pigs - ham, BACON, pork chops, ribs etc. But did you know Violin Strings, fine china, Linoleum and paint brushes all contain pig products? No other animal provides society with a wider range of products. 

Green Peas

Peas grown in Saskatchewan are usually either yellow peas or green peas. Typically grown for human consumption and livestock feed. Peas’ high protein content has many scientists and researchers intrigued and investing time and resources into using Pea protein for global plant protein consumption.  

Slow Cooker Ham and Split Pea Soup

Ingredients:

2 cups dried green (split) peas

2-3 cups diced fully cooked ham (reduced sodium ham is best for this)

1 cup carrots, peeled and sliced

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp ground black pepper (or to taste)

1/2 tsp parsley

1/4 tsp ground thyme

8 cups chicken broth

Instructions:

1. Layer the first 9 ingredients in a slow cooker in the order listed above without stirring.

2. Bring the broth to a boil then pour over the 9 ingredients in the slow cooker.

3. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 7-8 hours. Serve with fresh bread or crackers.