Split Pea Soup
["8 c. water", "1 lb. dried split peas (about 2 1/4 c.)", "1 lb. smoked ham", "1 medium onion, chopped", "1 tsp. salt", "1/4 tsp. pepper", "2 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces", "2 medium stalks celery, cut into 1/2-inch pieces"]
["Heat water and peas to boiling in a heavy saucepan.", "Boil 2 minutes and remove from heat.", "Cover and let stand for 1 hour. Stir in ham, onion, salt and pepper into peas.", "Heat to boiling. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until peas are tender, about 1 hour. Skim fat, if necessary.", "Remove ham, trim fat and bone from ham. Cut ham into 1/2-inch pieces.", "Stir ham, carrots and celery into soup.", "Heat to boiling, reduce heat.", "Cover and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 45 minutes.", "Serves 8."]
["water", "peas", "ham", "onion", "salt", "pepper", "carrots", "stalks celery"]