indiana ham and sweet potato soup

Ingredients

• 2 - medium-large about 1 1/2 lbs sweet potatoes, washed dried and pierced
• 6 - about 3/4 lb carrots, topped, tailed and peeled
• 1 large onion, peeled and quartered
• 1 large clove of garlic, skin on
• 1 1/2 pounds smoked ham hocks
• 8 cups water
• 1 pound yellow split peas, rinsed
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 1/2 teaspoons rubbed (ground) sage
• 1 teaspoon cholula (mexican hot sauce)
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper, freshly ground
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup diced ham steak
• 1 large orange, zest of
• 1/2 cup minced parsley
• 1 can fried potato sticks (optional)