Yellow Split Pea Soup

Ingredients

 * 1 lb smoked ham hocks
 * 1 lb dried yellow split peas, cleaned
 * 3 slices fresh ginger root, cleaned
 * 3 cloves garlic, minced
 * 12 cups water or stock
 * 3 carrots, grated
 * 1 large onion, chopped
 * 2 tsp turmeric powder
 * 1½ tsp chili powder
 * 1 small piece fresh hot pepper
 * 1 tbsp Trinidad rum
 * 1½ tbsp chopped chadon beni (culantro)

Directions

 * 1) Combine first 5 ingredients in soup pot and simer for one hour.
 * 2) Stir in carrots, onion, turmeric, chili powder and hot pepper- simmer for another 30 minutes.
 * 3) Remove ham hocks, cut meat from the bone; cut meat into small pieces and return to pot.
 * 4) Add rum and chadon beni and simmer for another 30 minutes.
 * 5) Discard ginger pieces before serving.