Erwtensoep (Dutch Split Pea Soup)

Description
A strong soup with peas and meat like smoked sausage, smoked ham or ham hock.

Ingredients

 * 2 liters of water
 * 500 g of dried split green peas, rinsed
 * 1 smoked ham hock
 * ½ cup sliced leeks
 * ½ cup sliced onions
 * ½ cup sliced celery
 * ½ cup diced carrot
 * parsley
 * salt and pepper to taste
 * ½ pound smoked sausage (kielbasa), sliced thin

Directions

 * 1) Bring the water to a boil in a large heavy pot, then add peas and ham hock.
 * 2) When the water reboils, reduce the heat to a simmer and let cook, partially covered, for 2 hours.
 * 3) Stir it from time to time.
 * 4) Stir in the rest of the ingredients (except the kielbasa) and simmer for 30 more minutes, stirring from time to time.
 * 5) Remove the ham hock, cut away the meat, and return it to the pot with the kielbasa.
 * 6) Simmer for a couple of hours.
 * 7) Although the soup is now done and can be eaten, best is to leave it overnight and gently reheat the next day.
 * 8) Eat with dark, heavy bread.