Soupe Au Pois a Memere (French Canadian Pea Soup)

My grandmother's pea soup recipe. This one has been made and enjoyed over and over in this household. You can use the green peas or the yellow peas or a combination of both. You can use a ham bone in lieu of the salt pork if you prefer.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 10 mins
• Serves: 8
• Yields: 10 cups

Ingredients

• 1  lb peas, dried
• 8  cups water
• 1⁄2 lb salt pork, all in one piece
• 1  onion, large chopped
• 1⁄2 cup celery, chopped
• 1⁄4 cup carrot, grated
• 1⁄4 cup fresh parsley leaves, fresh chopped
• 1  bay leaf
• 1  teaspoon savory, dried
•  salt
•  black pepper

Directions

1. Wash and sort peas; soak in cold water overnight.
2. Drain and place in a large pot; add water, parsley, salt pork, onion, celery, carrots, parsley, bay leaf, savory and 1 tsp salt.
3. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until peas are very tender, about 2 hours, adding more water if needed.
4. Remove salt pork; chop and return to soup. Discard bay leaf. Season to taste with salt and pepper.