A hearty stick-to-your-ribs, this one-pot winter soup freezes well for future meals. Loaded with vegetables and flavored with ham hocks, this is a great winter soup.
Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed soup pot or Dutch oven. Saute the onions and garlic for about 4 minutes until they soften. Add carrots, celery and bay leaves and cook, stirring, for another couple minutes.
Add chicken stock, potatoes, split peas, chopped tomatoes, ham hocks, Parmigiano Reggiano rind and herbs. Bring to a boil and reduce to simmer and cook for 1 1/2 hours.
Remove the ham hocks and let cool. Shred meat, removing any fat, and return the meat to the soup pot. Season with salt and pepper.