Butternut Squash, Carrot & Turmeric Soup - An Original 'Autumn-Warmer' Recipe (Vegetarian)

From yer cockles to yer toes, you'll feel so warmed that it'll be hard not to curl up and hibernate for the rest of the season. (In Ireland the cold season lasts from about September through August, so the temptation to hibernate is ever present ha ha!)

They say you should aim to eat a portion of orange vegetables every day to avail of the many health benefits, such as: immune health, good vision, heart health, joint health, lowers blood pressure, lowers cholesterol, helps the body maintain a healthy PH level, good bowel function, works in conjunction with other nutrients to maintain strong bones, and helps prevent numerous diseases.  I can think of another great reason to eat plenty of orange vegetables... they're bloomin' tasty!!!

In addition, turmeric is another amazingly healthy and medicinal ingredient, and I like to use it as often as I can, even though it stains my hands (and everything it touches) fluorescent yellow!  It contains a compound called curcumin, which is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.  However, it is important to know that on its own, curcumin is poorly absorbed, so must be used together with oil/fat (good ones like coconut, avocado, olive, butter...) and black pepper, which both help to enhance absorption.

What you will need:

1 butternut squash

3 large carrots

50g fresh turmeric

1 large onion

5-10 cloves garlic

1 tblsp black pepper

1 tblsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp thyme

1 tblsp coconut oil

Method:

Peel and roughly chop all the vegetables.  In a food processor, or my preferred choice - the manual vegetable chopper - blitz all the veg until finely chopped (this makes cooking time a LOT quicker, saving you gas/electric as well).  

In a large pan, melt the coconut oil (or one of the other 'good' oils) and saute all the vegetables together until softened

Add a kettle-full of boiling water, plus the herbs and seasoning, and simmer on moderate heat for about 30 minutes

Turn off the heat and puree the soup using a stick blender

Ladle yourself a lovely bowl of fresh soup, and enjoy on its own, or with a few slices of homemade Irish Soda Bread

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Many thanks.

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