Finnish Dried Pea Soup (Hernekeitto - Finland)

Debbie R.'s Note:

From the "Best of Finnish Cooking". The author put together her recipes so that her sons would always have the Finnish recipes/dishes at hand. I haven't made it yet. I like the short list of ingredients. Time does not include the overnight soaking.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 8 cups water
• 1 lb dried whole green peas
• 1 lb smoked ham (one large piece with bone)
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1 onion
• 2 cloves
• 1 -2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Rinse and remove unwanted pieces from the peas. Cover with cold water and let soak overnight.
2. Afterwards, drain and rinse the peas. Peel the onion and stud it with the cloves. Put everything into the pot with the peas. (Use fresh water for the 8 cups, not the soaking water.).
3. Bring to a boil; cover, lower heat, and let simmer until they are very soft, about 2 hours, stirring often.
4. Remove meat from soup. Trim it from the bones, cutting into small pieces. Return it to the soup.
5. Salt to taste and serve. (I must add, however, that the listed amount of salt could be too much for some people, let alone adding more at this point. However, I've included the amounts listed by the author because she says that Finnish food is very salty. Use your own judgement.).

Reviews

[Coasty]

Very tasty and I agree with Debbie about the salt, I didn't need to add anymore. Put this one in the freezer for dinner through the week. Made for ZWT 6.