What has been handed down from the first settlers of a land called New France, traditional soupe aux pois and the commercially popular Habitant Pea Soup, is today considered comfort food in most of Canada. This hearty soup dates back to a time when French Canadian settlers made do with basic supplies brought in by ship from Europe such as salted pork and dried peas. Today, most cooks see it as a way to get the best out of a ham bone the day after a big feast.
French Canadian Pea Soup
Yellow peas simmer in a broth of ham onions and carrots.
Servings: 10
Calories: 178kcal
Ingredients
- 1 ham bone
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 carrots chopped
- 2 ribs of celery chopped
- 10 cups water
- 3 cups split yellow peas
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ tsp fresh ground black pepper
- ½ tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Put all ingredients in a large soup pot with a lid
- Bring to a boil, remove any scum, then allow to simmer with the lid ajar for about 3 hours
- Remove ham bone and scrape off the meat
- Chop up the remaining meat and return to the soup