Split Pea with Ham

Original recipe found here

 Split pea is my favorite soup.  Fall is coming, so I found it appropriate to cook a pot.  Enjoy this recipe!  I am not a big fan of ham on the bone, so I cut it off the frozen ham hawk I had.  Please feel free to throw in a ham hawk if desired.

Ingredients:

1 (16 oz.) pkg. dried green split peas, rinsed

2 cups diced ham

3 carrots, peeled and sliced

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 ribs of celery plus leaves, chopped

1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

1 bay leaf

2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes

Salt & Pepper to taste

6 cups hot water

Layer ingredients in slow cooker in the order given; pour in water. Do not stir ingredients. Cover and cook on HIGH 4 to 5 hours or on low 8 to 10 hours until peas are very soft. Remove bay leaf. Mash peas to thicken more, if desired.  Freezes well.