Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

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• 16 ounces dried green split peas (rinsed well and drained)
  Ingredient note

  Source: 16 ounces dried green split peas (rinsed well and drained)
• 2 each carrots (diced about 1 cup)
  Ingredient note

  Source: 2 carrots (diced about 1 cup)
• 2 ribs celery (diced about 1 cup)
  Ingredient note

  Source: 2 ribs celery (diced about 1 cup)
• ½ cup diced white or yellow onion
  Ingredient note

  Source: ½ cup diced white or yellow onion
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• ⅓ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
  Ingredient note

  Source: ⅓ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 each dried bay leaf
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 dried bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt (plus additional as needed)
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 teaspoon salt (plus additional as needed)
• As Needed black pepper
  Ingredient note

  Source seasoning: freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 1 each meaty ham bone (see notes below)
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 meaty ham bone (see notes below)
• 6 cups low sodium chicken broth (or more, as needed, divided)
  Ingredient note

  Source: 6 cups low sodium chicken broth (or more, as needed, divided)

1. Layer the ingredients, through the ham bone, in a slow cooker in the order listed. Add as much of the chicken broth as needed to just cover the ingredients, about 4 to 5 cups. Reserve the remaining chicken broth for later.
2. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours. Stir occasionally during the cooking time and add additional broth only if the level drops below the ingredients.
3. When the peas are tender, remove the ham bone and transfer it to a cutting board. Pull off any remaining ham, tear it into small pieces, and return it to the slow cooker. Discard the ham bone and bay leaf. Use a spoon to lightly mash some of the peas against the side of the slow cooker and stir until nice and creamy, adding more broth, if needed, to reach desired consistency. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, as needed.
4. Set a 6-quart Instant Pot to SAUTE and toggle to MORE. When it displays HOT add 1 tablespoon oil (vegetable or canola). Add carrots, celery, onion, and garlic and sauté for about 3 minutes, or until softened. Hit CANCEL.
5. Add the remaining ingredients, including all 6 cups of the broth. Secure the lid, select MANUAL, and cook on HIGH pressure for 14 minutes. At the end of the cooking time, allow the Instant Pot to do a natural release for 10 minutes and then manually release any remaining pressure.
6. Open the lid and remove and discard the bay leaf. Transfer the ham bone to a cutting board. Use a fork to pull away any ham from the ham bone, chop it into pieces and add back to the soup. Discard the bone. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, as needed.