Wild Garlic, Ham and Pea Chowder

Wild Garlic, Ham and Pea Chowder is a chunky soup using potatoes, peas, ham, and wild garlic leaves.  The soup has a mild garlic flavour and is creamy and totally delicious.

Why Wild Garlic, Ham and Pea Chowder?

Wild Garlic, Ham and Pea Chowder is the result of my annual spring obsession with foraging for wild garlic in the woods close to where I live. 

Free food is hard to resist and Wild Garlic is such a versatile herb and it complements so many different recipes. 

What is Wild Garlic? 

Wild Garlic is also known as Ransoms and is a leafy plant which appears in spring.   You can eat the young leaves and the flowers which both have a pungent smell of garlic but are mild in flavour. 

Where does Wild Garlic Grow?

It grows on the woodland floor often close to water.  Always pick wild garlic far from the roadside and traffic pollution. Get more information about foraging for wild garlic on the Countryfile website

How do you prepare Wild Garlic?

Was the Wild Garlic carefully then you can use it just as you would other herbs. Or store it wrapped in damp kitchen paper and a plastic bag in the salad drawer of the fridge. It will keep for 2 or 3 days stored like this without any ill effect.  

Can you freeze Wild Garlic?

You can chop it finely and put in ice cube trays then cover with olive oil.  Drop these cubes into soups and stews to add a little wild garlic flavour. 

You can also freeze it as Wild Garlic Pesto or Wild Garlic Hummus.

I can’t find Wild Garlic, can I still make the Chowder?

If you can’t find any Wild Garlic you can still make this delicious soup. Ad a large crushed clove of garlic with the onion and replace the sliced wild garlic leaves with sliced spinach leaves. 

Can I make a Vegetarian Wild Garlic Chowder?

Yes, just leave out the ham and use vegetable stock instead of ham stock. 

More Wild Garlic Recipes from Farmersgirl Kitchen

Cheese and Wild Garlic Scones

Wild Garlic Hummus and Wild Garlic Pesto Recipes

Seared Scallop Tagliatelle with Wild Garlic, Leek and Chilli Jam 

More Chowder Recipes

Skinny Haddock, Bacon and Mushroom Chowder – Fab Food 4 All

Cullen Skink – Traditional Scottish Smoked Haddock Soup – Foodie Quine

Vegan Corn Chowder – Veggie Desserts 

Gluten Free Roasted Cauliflower and Vegetable Chowder – Family, Friends, Food

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Wild Garlic, Ham and Pea Chowder

Janice Pattie

An easy to make warm and comforting soup, simply made with potatoes, ham, peas and wild garlic leaves.  

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Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 25 mins

Course Soup

Cuisine British

Servings 6

Calories 307 kcal

Ingredients

 

MetricUS Customary units

 

1x2x3x

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 40 grams butter
• 1 large onion
• 750 grams baby new potatoes
• 125 grams thickly cut cooked ham
• 1 1/2 litres ham stock
• 100 grams frozen peas
• 1 tsp cornflour
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 750 ml semi-skilled milk
• salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
• 35 grams wild garlic leaves

Instructions

 

• Heat the oil and butter in a large pan 
• Chop the onion and add to the pan, cook gently until it starts to become transparent. 
• Quarter the new potatoes and add them to the pan.
• Add the hot stock, finely dice the sliced ham and slice the wild garlic into fine ribbons, then add both to the stock. 
• Cook for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
• Mix the cornflour and turmeric with a little of the cold milk and add to the stock, stirring.  Add the rest of the milk and the frozen peas and simmer for a further 3-4 minutes.
• Season to taste.

Notes

If you can't find wild garlic, substitute 1 large crushed clove of garlic, added with the chopped onion and 35 grams of finely sliced spinach when you would have added the wild garlic leaves. 

Turmeric is used to add a golden colour to the soup, there is no discernable taste.  It is not essential to the recipe,

For special occasions add some cream to the soup. 

You can make this soup vegetarian, simply leave out the ham and use vegetable stock. 

Nutrition

Calories: 307kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 12gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 365mgPotassium: 849mgFiber: 4gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 519IUVitamin C: 34mgCalcium: 178mgIron: 2mg

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