Yellow Split Pea & Sweet Potato Soup (Whole Foods)

8 1/2 cups water
1 large onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
2 cups dried yellow split peas (1 bag)
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

Bring 1/2 cup water to simmer in a large saucepot over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook about 5 minutes or until translucent. Stir in ginger and cook 1 minute, stirring. Add remaining 8 cups water, peas and sweet potato cubes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and simmer for 1 hour.

Uncover and continue to simmer 15 minutes. Mash up potatoes and peas in pot using a whisk or a potato masher, to your preference of smoothness.

Whole Foods recommends to garnish with pumpkin seeds, but I don't. Who cares?