Latvian Yellow Split Pea Purée

Posted on by Ilze

There’s something deeply comforting about traditional dishes that have been passed down through generations. One such dish that holds a special place in Latvian cuisine—and in my heart—is yellow split pea purée. This was one of my absolute favorite meals growing up, especially during the winter. I have fond memories of playing in the room while the comforting aroma of my mother’s cooking filled the house. The scent of the purée would linger in the air, and I could hardly wait for her to call me to the table to enjoy a warm, hearty bowl of this nourishing dish.

A Childhood Favorite

In our household, yellow split pea purée was typically served with a rich bacon and onion sauce, which added a savory, smoky flavor that paired perfectly with the creamy peas. But this dish is wonderfully delicious with a simple topping of sautéed onions. Whether paired with bacon or enjoyed on its own, this purée was always a meal I looked forward to.

Latvian Yellow Split Pea Purée



Latvian Cuisine


Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cup washed yellow split peas
  • 2 1/4 cup water
  • 1 bay leaf (optional)
  • 1 big onion sliced
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • salt

Directions

  1. Rinse the yellow split peas under cold water. Place them in a large pot with water (and bay leaf if using) and bring the water to a boil.
  2. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the peas simmer. Skim off any foam that forms on the surface. Cook the peas until they are soft and begin to break down, which should take about 1 to 1.5 hours. To prevent the purée from burning, it’s important to stir it continuously towards the end of cooking. If it seems like the water has evaporated too quickly and the peas aren’t yet soft, add a bit more hot water.
  3. In a frying pan, heat the vegetable oil or butter. Sauté the chopped onion until they are soft and lightly golden.
  4. Serve topped with onions.

latvinamom.com

Creative Ways to Enjoy Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftover purée, don’t let it go to waste! I like to turn it into a hearty soup by adding chopped carrots, potatoes, and a bit of bacon. Simply cook veggies (and meat) first and the add the yellow split pea purée to the soup base, and you’ve got a delicious, warming meal that’s perfect for the next day.

Also, here is another recipe with yellow split peas, more modern, with bell pepper (not typical in traditional Latvian cuisine). I shared that recipe in 2017 – what was I thinking 🙂 : https://latvianmom.com/2017/11/06/yellow-split-peas-with-carrot-and-bell-pepper/

Enjoy,

Ilze

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32 thoughts on “Latvian Yellow Split Pea Purée”

    1. Thank you! Yes, yellow split peas are a staple in Latvian cooking, and they make such a comforting dish. Your creamy turkey with wild rice soup sounds delicious too—perfect for a cozy meal! Hope you have a great day as well!

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                1. Thank you! I like the beginning of the autumn – when it’s colorful and misty, after that there is a long period with just rain and gray everywhere. Then there comes snow – love it!

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        1. Because it does it at lower temperatures 🙂 I like to cook (oh my, i don’t know the English name).. sauerkraut with pork meat overnight .. to get Šķovēti kāposti (somehow the translater says Christmas sauerkraut.

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            2. I think the fermentation went wrong. Sauerkraut is basically fermented cabbage made with just cabbage, salt, caraway seeds, and a bit of grated carrot. I usually buy mine fresh from the local market—they make it every two weeks. It sounds like yours might have been two months old and didn’t have the right sour taste!

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      1. No, I am not going to try to get the account back, Ilze. I have been blocked from commenting three times for a week or more, being banned was the last straw. I am sure that a computer made the decision too since IG has millions of users.

        I have had enough of their stinking censorship! They can’t touch my blog/website. I opened an account a couple of days ago on X just to try it out. It is somewhat similar to IG but just not the same.

        Also, I was spending way too much time there scrolling and scrolling and… I now have more time for my blog and other things. 👍🏻😊

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  5. Pingback: Latvian Yellow Split Pea Purée – a day in the life of a latvian mom | My Meals are on Wheels

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