Vegetarian Split Pea Soup with Extra Virgin Olive Oil ⋆ Morocco Gold Olive Oil

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 cups dried split peas, rinsed and sorted
• 6 cups water, plus more to finish
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
• 1 ham hock or 1 cup diced ham (optional for non-vegetarian version)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)