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Potaje De Chicharo (Cuban Split Pea Soup)

Cuban style split pea soup
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Soup
Cuisine: cuban
Servings: 6
Calories: 816kcal
Author: Cari

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 lb smoked pork loin cubed into 1 inch cubes
  • 1 lb smoked pork belly cubed into 1 inch cubes
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 16 oz green split peas
  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon oregano
  • 4 ½ cups water

Instructions

  • Set your Instant Pot to saute and add the olive oil, chopped yellow onion, garlic and chopped green bell pepper. Saute until translucent.
  • Add to the Instant Pot the split peas, pork belly, smoked pork loin, chopped calabaza, salt, cumin, oregano, bay leaf, chicken bouillon cube and water.
  • Set the Instant Pot to Bean/Chili setting at high pressure and cook for 45 minutes.
  • Once done cooking, release the steam and carefully remove the lid. Give the soup a good stir. If the soup is too thick, add ½ cup warm water(or more) until you reach your desired consistency.
  • Serve immediately and garnish with cilantro.

Notes

Variations and substitutions for this green split pea stew

    • If you can't find smoked pork belly, you can use bacon, smoked whole ham hock or smoked pork shank 
    • Don't eat pork? You can swap the meat for their smoked turkey necks and/or smoked turkey wings. 
    • Can't find calabaza squash? Use butternut squash instead. 
    • Don't have chicken bouillon, you can opt for low sodium chicken broth or chicken stock 
    • Don't have an Instant Pot? You can cook this split pea soup in a dutch oven over medium-low heat for 70-90 minutes.

Storage for this potaje de chicharos

    • Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. Once refrigerated, the soup will thicken up, add ½ cup or more when reheating to thin the soup down.
    • Freeze your split pea stew in an airtight container and freeze for upto 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 816kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 51g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 25g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 667mg | Potassium: 1249mg | Fiber: 20g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 199IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 5mg