A Green Peas Soup, without Meat

Put 8 cups of the peas and 4 cups of the water in a large saucepan or Dutch oven.

Add the salt, pepper, mace, cloves, thyme, and marjoram, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, and simmer for about 45 minutes, until the peas are very tender.

Drain the peas, reserving the cooking liquid in the sauceupan. Puree the peas in a food processor or with a food mill. If using a food mill, discard the skins. Press the puree through a sieve into the reserved liquid, stirring to combine thoroughly. Cover and set aside to keep warm.

Combine the remaining 2 cups of peas with the remaining 2 cups of water in a medium saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, until the peas are just tender.

While the second batch of peas is cooking, melt the butter in a sauté pan.

Add the green onions, and sauté for about 2 minutes.

Add the spinach and mint and stir together, cooking until the spinach has just wilted. Blend in the flour, and cook for about 1 minute.

Drain the peas, reserving the cooking liquid, and stir the peas into the warm soup along with the spinach mixture.

Heat until it begins to simmer, adding the reserved pea-cooking liquid—a little at a time—if the soup is too thick. Season with additional salt and pepper, if necessary.

Pour the soup into a tureen, and garnish with diced toast and shredded calendula blossoms, if desired.

From Dining with the Washingtons: Historic Recipes, Entertaining, and Hospitality from Mount Vernon, edited by Stephen A. McLeod. All text © 2011 by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. Distributed by The University of North Carolina Press.