Split Pea Soup

It's the beginning of hot soup season!  I picked up some leeks, potatoes, and a beautiful bunch of fall herbs on Saturday at the farmers market from my favorite chemical free farmers and made split pea soup in the crock pot.  It will make your house smell so savory while it's cooking, mmmmm!
On Cooking and Ingredients

Split Pea Soup
Makes 12 Cups
6 cups vegetable broth
2 cups split peas rinsed
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 1/2 c diced carrots
1 c diced celery including leaves, use the inside core if possible
2 1/2 c chopped, cleaned leeks (see below)
2 c potatoes, cut into 1/4 - 1/2 inch cubes
1 T fresh thyme leaves
1 T fresh rosemary leaves, chopped
1 T fresh sage leaves, chopped
1 bay leaf
2 t celery salt
1/2 t black pepper

Cut the dark green tough ends off the leeks.  Slice the white/light green/tender part of the leek in half length wise, then chop into 1/4 inch slices:

Soak the slices in a bowl of water and separate the slices with your fingers.  Rinse and drain them several times to remove the grit.

Add the leeks, and all of the listed ingredients to a crock pot.  Cook on high for 4 hours. Soup is done when the veggies are soft, and the peas blend in to the rest of the soup.  Season with pepper to taste.