Pea&Ham Soup

[JAGGER]

Isoak my split peas overnight (yellow) i put my hock of ham into a pot bring to the boil add the peas but they never seem to go soft.What am i doing wrong?JAGGER

[Goodsoulette]

if you put some bicarb in it will soften the peas.

[Kazzarooney]

I would say because of the saltiness of water, but I'm not an expert. Maybe they should be cooked separately?!! I know they say not to add salt to the water when cooking lentils.

[Pea Pod]

I always use lentils instead of split peas. They need no soaking and cook quicker. Peas can take up to an hour to cook, lentils 30 mins at most.

[squirtle]

You haven't said how long you are simmering the peas for, all i do is soak them like you have and even though bicarb does soften them i never use it (i'm not saying don't though). Also most chefs recommend not salting the water in which pulses are cooked as this can toughen the skins but i wouldn't know if it stops them actually cooking. I usually let them simmer really gently a good 30-40 minutes. Probably not much help.

[Jugglering]

I think all you need to do is cook your peas for a lot longer ! They can (as the others have said) take about an hour to get to the soft stage, but that depends on how fresh they are ! Very old, dried split peas might take a lot longer. I would only add salt at the end of the cooking, when you check for taste, as the meat might be salty in itself. My mother used to make this dish and also add onions, potatoes and grated carrot to bulk it out into a substantial stew..... and it's now one of our favourites (though without the hock).