Split Pea Soup

Ingredients:

2 cups (1 bag) split peas
8 cups water
1 - 1/2 cups cubed ham steak
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
1 - 2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 pinch oregano

Directions:

Cut up ham steak, onion, and carrots as listed above.

Heat olive oil in large stock pot. Saute ham and vegetables. Add garlic.

Rinse peas, drain. Add peas and water to stock pot. Mix and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer covered, until peas are tender.

Remove from heat and using a potato masher, gently mash the peas until the soup has a thick consistency.