1 large, meaty ham bone
1 pound green split peas, washed and picked over
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 carrots, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
Over a hot fire (or on top of the kitchen stove), cover ham bone with 3 to 4 quarts of water in a soup kettle and simmer for at least an hour. Remove bone and let cool. Using the same water, cook the peas with onion, garlic, and carrots until soft (about 1 hour). Cut ham meat from cooled bone and add to soup; place covered kettle on back of stove and simmer very slowly until ready to serve (do not let soup scorch).