Snert (Dutch Split Pea Soup)

This is a thick, hearty pea and ham soup that is traditional in the Netherlands. If you prefer a slightly thinner soup, feel free to add more water.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 2 hr
• Total Time: 2 hr 30 mins
• Calories: 539 Calories

Ingredients

• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 2 small onions, chopped
• 1 pound bone-in gammon (cured pork leg)
• 2 (14 ounce) bags dried split peas
• 8 ounces pork belly
• 1 small celeriac (celery root), peeled and chopped
• 2 leeks, sliced into 1/2-inch rings
• 1 smoked sausage
• 1 bunch fresh celery leaves, chopped

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place gammon in a large pot; cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Add split peas and pork belly; simmer for 10 minutes. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface of the water.

Step 2

Transfer gammon and pork belly to a plate using a slotted spoon. Strain split peas through a sieve, discarding water.

Step 3

Place gammon, split peas, and pork belly back into the pot; cover with fresh water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer gently until gammon and pork belly are tender, 2 to 3 hours.

Step 4

Transfer gammon and pork belly to a plate using a slotted spoon; cool until easily handled, about 10 minutes. Remove gammon from the bone and slice. Slice the meatiest parts off the pork belly.

Step 5

Stir the chopped meat back into the pot. Add celeriac, leeks, onions, and carrot; simmer until softened, about 15 minutes. Add whole sausage link; simmer until heated through, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove sausage link and slice into small pieces; stir back into the soup.

Step 6

Sprinkle celery leaves, salt, and pepper over soup. Simmer until celery leaves are warmed through, 1 to 2 minutes.