Split Pea Soup with Meatballs

Prep : 20 minutes ... Cook: 2 hours ... Makes 10 servings

1 ...............pound dried green split peas
3 ..............medium carrots , cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3/4 ...........cup diced celery
8 ..............cups water
3 ..............medium potatoes  , cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 ..............teaspoons salt
1/4 ...........teaspoon pepper
MEATBALLS :
3/4 ...........cup finely chopped celery
1 ..............medium onion , finely chopped
4 ..............tablespoons vegetable oil , divided
1 ..............pound ground pork
1-1/2 .......cups solf bread crumbs
2 .............tablespoon water
1 .............teaspoon salt
1/2 ..........teaspoon dried sage , crushed
1 .............egg

1 )      In a Dutch oven or soup kettle  , combine the peas . carrots , celery , onion and water  ; bring to a boil  over medium heat  . Reduce heheat ; cover and simmer for 1 hour .
2 )     Add poratoes  , salt and pepper  ; cover and simmer  for 30 minutes  . Meanwhile , in a large skillet  saute celery and onion in 2 tablespoons oil  until tender ; transfer to a large bowl . Add pork , bread crumbs  , water salt , sage ,and egg ; mix well . Form into 3/4-inch balls .
3 )      In the same skillet , brown meatballs in remaining oil  until no longer pink  inside . Add to soup ; cover  and simmer  for 15 minutes  .
I prepare this soup on cold or rainy days  , my family likes the idea thay can get a bowl full throughout the day  and the kettle is empty by dinner time  . Meatballs put a flavorable  spin on ordinary split pea soup .
Heart healthy