Split Pea Soup in the crockpot

I said I would post my Split Pea Soup in the crockpot recipe...here it is:

Split Pea Soup with Ham

You can make this vegetarian by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth an omit the ham hock

2 T Olive Oil
1 Yellow Onion, finely chopped
2 Garlic cloves, minced
1 Smoked Ham hock, about 1 1/2 lbs.
1 lb. Green split peas, picked over and rinsed
3 Carrots, chopped
2 Celery stalks, chopped
6 c. Chicken broth
1 t dried thyme
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 c. fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley

1. In a frying pan over medium heat, warm the oil. Add the onion and garlic and saute until softened, 4-5 minutes. Put the ham hock in the center of the slow cooker and spread the split peas around it. Add the sauteed onion and garlic, the carrots, and the celery. Add the broth, thyme, 1 t salt, and 1/2 t pepper. Cover and cook on the high-heat setting for 4-5 hours or the low-heat setting for 8-10 hours, until the peas are very tender.

2. Transfer the ham hock to a platter or cutting board and let cool unti it can be handled, about 15 minutes. Using your fingers or a knife and fork, remove the meat from the bone, shredding or cutting the meat into bite-sized pieces. Stir the meat back into the soup along with the parsley. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve