#MondayMeals: Turnip the heat this week with a hot bowl of French Winter Soup

This healthy French soup is a delicious addition to any winter week! Better yet, this tasty recipe can be made with fresh local ingredients. Read on to learn how this recipe can benefit your mind, body, and environment. 

Turnips are low in calories and rich in nutrients, and are thought to lower the risk of intestinal problems. Turnips can also lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of certain types of cancer.

Leeks are a tasty source of fiber, vitamins, folate, iron and magnesium. They also contain antioxidants, antimicrobial properties, and liver-protecting properties, which may lower blood pressure.

Potatoes are available locally all year long and are a great source of nutrients and antioxidants, which are fantastic for digestive health, blood sugar control, and reducing the risk of heart disease.

Carrots are well-known for their nutritional value and are a great source of fiber, vitamins, potassium, and antioxidants. Carrots may reduce the risk of cancer, lower cholesterol, and are good for eye health.

Parsnips contain high levels of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that promote growth, oral and heart health, and boost the immune and digestive systems. Parsnips can also strengthen bones and lower the risk of diabetes, cancer, respiratory illness, and anemia.

Remember- lots of these ingredients are available locally! Eating local foods is beneficial to our bodies, minds, and environment. It’s also great for our local economy!

There are endless benefits to eating tasty local foods. Did you know that foods produced locally are more nutritious? This is because food contains the most nutrients around the time it is harvested. The longer food spends traveling, the less nutrition it contains. Less time traveling also means less exposure to harmful chemicals and less production of greenhouse gasses. What a tasteful way to decrease our carbon footprint!

Find the ingredients for French Winter Soup and more at Anderson’s Farm Market, The Local Food Market, or through a CSA share at Main Street Farms. Check out the healthy and delicious recipe for French Winter Soup below.

French Winter Soup

• 6 cups water

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 2 teaspoons kosher salt

• 1 medium onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice

• 2 medium yellow fin potatoes (about 3/4 pound) or 2 medium yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch dice (about 3/4 pound)

• 3 medium leeks, white and pale green parts only, thinly sliced and rinsed to remove grit

• 3 -4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch dice (8 ounces)

• 3 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch dice (6 ounces)

• 2 medium turnips (8 ounces) or 1/2 rutabaga, peeled and cut into 1/4 -inch dice (8 ounces)

• 1 small celery root, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch dice (8 ounces)

• 1 small fennel bulb, trimmed, cored, and cut into 1/4 inch dice

• 2garlic cloves, smashed

• fresh ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

• In a large heavy saucepan, bring the water, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, and salt to a boil. Add the vegetables and garlic and simmer, half covered, until the vegetables are very tender, about 30 to 35 minutes. Pepper liberally.

• Ladle into bowls and drizzle about 1/2 teaspoon of the remaining olive oil over each serving.