Liquid sunshine. That’s what this is! When you’re feeling worn out, exhausted, vulnerable to every virus, this is even more therapeutic than a catnap in the sun. And the taste is so amazing that you will make it over and over again – even when it’s not soup season.
Usually, when I don’t feel well, I just want to be alone. Don’t touch me! Don’t talk to me! Don’t even make eye contact with me! Keep the house quiet and dark, and let me work on getting better.
However, there are times that a little care, compassion and understanding will bring me to tears. A kind word and loving deed can do more to make me feel better than anything.
After a brutal cold or flu, the immune system is compromised. That’s when this soup becomes the cooling hand on a hot forehead, or a soothing back rub to take away achiness. It’s loaded with vegetables, has a smooth texture, and warm comforting taste with no dairy or wheat. The only thing “not healthy” is the topping of bacon. But I figure that when bacon is used as a garnish, it has as many calories as a parsley sprig. 🙂
Oven roasting the vegetables brings out incredibly rich flavour without compromising the nutrition. Roasted garlic and ginger give the soup a gentle heat. And turmeric is an immunity-boosting super-hero.
The guest star of this soup is the golden beet. Low in calories and high in fiber, potassium, and calcium, golden beets should make cameo appearances in more dishes!
About turmeric — It’s a rhizome that looks a bit like ginger, and has a brilliant orange colour. Here’s a warning from my personal experience: turmeric stains. Everything. Wear gloves, an apron, goggles (maybe that’s overkill), and be careful. It’s simple to peel, and shreds easily. Use extra turmeric in rice, smoothies, soups, and curries for a boost in nutrition and colour. Just remember that a little goes a long way.
When cutting the veggies to roast, think about how long each takes to cook. Sweet potatoes cook quickly, so you can cut them in larger chunks. Beets are slow to soften, so cut them about half the size of sweet potato pieces. Then everything gets done at the same time, and everyone is happy. 🙂
If you have never worked with butternut squash, read about the simplest way to cut it on this risotto recipe.
There is so much flavour packed into this soup that I don’t add any salt. However, a couple tablespoons of butter added at the last minute ramps up the taste and adds a beautiful sheen to the soup. It’s totally optional, but totally worthwhile!
PrintGolden Vegetables Immune-Boosting Soup
Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 head garlic
- 1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 1–2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1–2 golden beets, peeled and diced
- 1 russet potato, peeled and cubed
- 1 large shallot, diced
- 1” ginger, peeled and finely sliced
- 1 Tbsp freshly grated turmeric
- 4 cups vegetable stock
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- 2 Tbsp butter (optional)
- Freshly grated nutmeg
- Black pepper
- Crumbled bacon, green onions, or whatever you wish for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Remove the outermost skin from garlic, cut off the pointed top to expose the cloves, drizzle with a little olive oil, wrap in aluminium foil, and put in oven.
- While garlic is roasting, prepare the butternut squash, sweet potato, beet, and potato. Put on rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with 2 Tbsp olive oil, and roast for 20 minutes. Stir the veggies, and return for another 15 minutes, or until tender.
- Meanwhile, prepare the ginger, turmeric, and shallot. (Make sure you wear gloves and protect surfaces from becoming stained by the turmeric.)
- In a soup pot, heat remaining olive oil and sauté the shallot, ginger, and turmeric over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes. They should not brown, but become tender.
- When garlic is soft, remove from skins by squeezing – almost like toothpaste.
- Pour 2 cups of broth into blender, then add roasted vegetables, sautéed veggies, and garlic. Process until smooth, adding another cup of broth to help it blend.
- Return the soup to pot, add remaining cup of broth, season with maple syrup and nutmeg, and heat through.
- Just before serving, stir in the butter (optional) and test seasoning. Garnish as desired, and feel health, strength and energy return!
