Split Pea and Ham Soup

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound split peas
• 3 cups diced ham
• bone from ham or smoked ham hock (optional)
• 3 carrots, diced
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried parsley)
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt (or 1 teaspoon table salt)
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 quarts water