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 make 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. The mild garlic flavour is absorbed into the potatoes and complements the salty, smoky pieces of ham.
What is Wild Garlic?
Wild Garlic is also known as Ransoms and is a leafy plant that 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.
What is Chowder?
Chowder is a rich creamy soup usually made with fish and seafood, and often including potatoes. Chowder is always full of chunky ingredients and often almost as thick as a stew.
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 I prepare Wild Garlic?
Wash 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 I 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 make it into Wild Garlic Blender Pesto or Wild Garlic Hummus and both of those freeze well.
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 are full of flavour and perfect to serve with soup as an alternative to bread. Or simply butter and enjoy with a cup of tea.
Wild Garlic Blender Pesto is a quick and easy sauce to make with seasonal Wild Garlic. It is ideal to serve with pasta, rice or grilled meats.
Seared Scallops with Leek Tagliatelle and Chilli Jam brings together sweet plump scallops, soft buttery leeks strips, and the piquant heat of chilli jam.
More Chowder Recipes
Skinny Haddock, Bacon and Mushroom Chowder – Fab Food 4 All
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
Ingredients
- 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.
Emma says
I am so so happy to come across this recipe because I have FINALLY found wild garlic near to home. Cant wait to make this at the weekend.
Janice Pattie says
Oh that’s great news, Emma. Get cooking, so many things you can make.
Camilla Hawkins says
You soup sounds amazing Janice. I’ve never had wild garlic but did spot some last year but as it was on a main road I didn’t pick it. If the weather cheers up I might go looking in our local park land where I managed to find elderflowers last year and also pick blackberries:-) Thanks for linking to my Chowder:-)
Janice Pattie says
I hope you manage to find some wild garlic in the park, I’m sure you would enjoy cooking with it.
Jill Colonna says
Janice, this sounds delicious. I can’t believe I’ve not even had wild garlic. Normally I forage for nettles in our local forest and never thought of wild garlic – so thank you for the inspiration. I really must try this!
Janice Pattie says
Thank you. I’m sure you will find some wild garlic somewhere in the forest, just follow your nose!
Dannii says
I love a good hearty chowder and this seasonal version looks and sounds delicious. I think my husband would really enjoy it too.
Janice Pattie says
I’m sure he would Dannii, it’s really tasty.
Ceri Jones says
So fab you have so much access to Wild Garlic, and sounds like you’ve been getting SO creative with it all. Love the sound of this chowder!
Janice Pattie says
Thanks Ceri, it’s such a pleasure to go foraging, it inspires me to create recipes.
Kimberly says
Yummy. My son would love this recipe. I can’t wait make it for him.
Janice Pattie says
thank you, I hope your son enjoys it as much as we did.