1. Vegetable Soup

2. Ingredients 3 carrots 3 large potatoes- peeled and cubed 1 parsnip, peeled and diced 1 turnip, peeled and diced 1 leek, sliced ½ onion, chopped Salt and pepper 1 cup water, or as needed

3. Recipe Place the carrots, potatoes, parsnip, turnip, leek and onion into a large saucepan. Fill with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil and cook until the vegetables are tender. Drain off water and puree vegetables in a blender. Return the puree to the saucepan and stir in water to reach your desired thickness. Heat to a simmer and season with salt and pepper. Serve and enjoy.

4. History of Vegetable Soup Since early times broths, soups and stews have been mainstay of the Irish diet. ‘Soup kitchens’ were set up in Ireland in 1847 to give starving people hot food. The potato crop had failed due to blight and had caused a famine.

5. Healthy Soup Ever since then vegetable soup has remained a popular choice of food in Ireland due to its delicious flavour and versatility. Irish soups are thick, hearty and filling. Warm soup fills you up for longer than other foods. It is a wholesome comfort food which suits our Irish climate. A bowl of soup can be used as an appetizer or a healthy main dish.

7. Vegetable soup is low in fat and low in calories. Soups with lots of vegetables and beans provide vitamins A and C, potassium, folate and fibre.