Doesn't need the black eyed peas as it is very think and rich without them. I used bacon instead of ham. Served over brown rice, this was a very good supper and my husband requested the leftovers for lunch today. I will make this again.

So easy to make! Found two little sugar pumpkins at the Farmer's Market begging to come home with me. I'm sure canned pumpkin would work, too, but it was really fun roasting my own. I didn't have sage, so I substituted poultry seasoning. Use the best chicken stock you can buy, it always makes a big difference. I also adjusted the seasonings by putting in more than called for. I'm going to make this next time I have company for dinner in the fall, and served it out of a pumpkin shell. Deceptively good for such little work!

I love this soup! The ratio of leeks to other ingredients gave it a very delicate "leeky" flavor that is not overpowering. I also used the best chicken stock that I could buy...my latest kick is to use the expensive stocks for a GOOD soup base and I highly recommend it. Serve with some crusty bread and a good wine....mmmmm!

Perfect comfort food....I made a double batch to share with a neighbor who had a death in the family. She and her husband were so grateful to get a pot of steaming soup and rustic bread to eat before the news travelled and others brought the usual "funeral food" for the family that would gather in. My husband and I LOVED it and I am making more this week to freeze in one portion amounts for him to take to work. Our only changes were to add some of our homegrown fresh herbs (parsley, sage, rosemary....the thyme was already gone for the season :-) ) during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Also, our broth was the expensive kind from the natural foods store, but it lacked salt, so we added what we thought it needed. I think the quality of broth really made the soup rich and tasty and it was worth the expense! The hens were so easy to handle...why hadn't we thought of that! Thanks for a great recipe that we will make over and over, I'm sure!