Meatless Monday: Rustic Fall Vegetable Soup
Emmer Schmidt
Meatless Monday is a global movement, a way of life. It’s not a campaign to turn everyone in the world vegetarian or vegan; in fact, many involved are meat-lovers. Eating less meat has been proven to reduce the risk of disease, curb obesity and has important environmental impacts, too. Will you join us in giving up meat, just for one day a week?
When it comes to homemade vs. store-bought, homemade is almost always better. The questions is whether it’s worth the time and effort. Peanut butter? Go ahead and buy a jar. (I myself have a soft spot for Skippy.) But if we’re talking soup, make your own. It tastes so much better than the sodium-packed stuff from the can.
Between the craziness at work and the crazies you have to feed, a complicated recipe is the last thing you want on a weekday night. Soup is simple. Add whatever veggies you like, pick a noodle or a grain (or don’t), throw in your favorite herbs and relax as it simmers away on the stove.
Kelsey’s Rustic Fall Vegetable Soup is cozy, comforting and hearty. There are no stressful steps or fancy ingredients, and the savory aroma that fills my little apartment is seriously therapeutic. Easy and delicious, it's just what the doctor ordered for a Monday night.
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth ** Use vegetable broth to make it truly meatless
In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat the butter or oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and saute until fragrant and translucent. Add the garlic and saute until golden brown.
Add the winter squash, zucchini, sweet potato, orzo, canned tomatoes, thyme, rosemary, and broth. Simmer until the vegetables are soft and cooked through, about 30 minutes.
Season the soup with salt, and black pepper, to taste. Serve with sliced crusty bread.
