Split Pea Soup with Smoked Turkey Necks

By Sharon Feldman

Yields approximately 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely diced
• 2 celery stalks, finely diced
• 2 carrots, finely diced
• 1-pound bag split peas, rinsed and picked through
• 1-2 packages of smoked turkey necks
• 2 quarts chicken stock, water, beef stock or combination
• Salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions:

In a large saucepan, sauté onion, celery and carrots over medium-high heat.  Add peas and smoked turkey necks and cover with stock by a couple inches. Bring to a simmer and cook about one hour until soup is thick and peas have almost disintegrated, but not quite. Season to taste. Remove smoked turkey necks and let cool. Pull meat from bone and shred, return to soup.

I used one quart of homemade chicken stock and one quart of homemade beef stock.  Served with loaf of crusty bread! You can also use any smoked meat.