Finnish Pea Soup (Hernekeitto) with Smoked Ham

Method

1. 1

   Soaking the peas

   Put the dried peas in plenty of water overnight and soak them for 8–10 hours.

   540 min
2. 2

   Starting the soup

   Begin cooking the soup over a low to medium heat, with the peas in their soaking water.

3. 3

   Skimming off foam and skins

   Skim off the foam and pea skins that rise to the surface.

   10 min
4. 4

   Ham and onion

   Add the whole ham and the large brown onion.

5. 5

   Slow cooking

   Cook for two to three hours, until the peas break down.

   150 min
6. 6

   Dicing the meat

   Remove the ham, dice it, then return it to the soup.

   10 min
7. 7

   Seasoning

   Season with marjoram, salt, pepper and mustard.

   5 min
8. 8

   Serving

   Serve hot with mustard, and offer jam pancakes on the side for dessert.