Scottish Harvest Festival Soup
Description:
In Scotland, the Harvest Festival, typically held in September, is a time of gratitude and generosity. Communities gather at churches, adorning altars with offerings of fresh fruits and vegetables, symbolizing thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest and invoking blessings for the upcoming year’s crops. Those who lack their own produce contribute canned goods, fostering a spirit of communal support. Following the service, these offerings are distributed to those in need, spreading warmth and sustenance to the less fortunate. Inspired by this tradition, families take pride in presenting the finest from their gardens, including my own mother who would prepare ample quantities of this hearty soup, delivering it with care to the elderly and infirm in our village who were unable to prepare meals for themselves.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 128
- Fat Content: 4.2g
- Saturated Fat Content: 2.5g
- Cholesterol Content: 10.2mg
- Sodium Content: 56.9mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 21.7g
- Fiber Content: 4.7g
- Sugar Content: 7g
- Protein Content: 3.1g
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 2 | Unsalted butter |
| 1 | Potato |
| 3 | Onions |
| 4 | Leeks |
| 1 | Carrot |
| 1 | Cabbage |
| 1 | Cauliflower |
| 6-10 | Vegetable bouillon cubes |
| 80 | Boiling water |
| – | Salt |
| – | Black pepper |
| 2 – 2 1/2 | Lean lamb stew meat |
| – | Beef stew meat |
Instructions:
-
Preparation:
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over a gentle heat.
- Prepare all the vegetables, chopping them into desired sizes.
-
Cooking:
- Add the prepared vegetables to the pan, stirring to coat them with butter.
- Dissolve the vegetable bouillon cubes in boiling water and pour over the vegetables.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Simmer gently over low heat for approximately 1½ hours until the meat and vegetables are tender.
-
Serving:
- Remove the soup from heat if not needed immediately.
- To serve, bring the soup to a boil.
- Check the seasoning and adjust with more salt and/or pepper if desired.
- For a smoother texture, the soup may be liquidized or puréed and then reheated before serving.
Recipe Notes:
- This soup is a perfect dish for potlucks, weeknight dinners, or as a comforting meal on chilly evenings.
- Feel free to adjust the quantities of vegetables and meat according to personal preference.
- Serve with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
Celebrate the spirit of the Scottish Harvest Festival with this wholesome and nourishing soup, sharing the abundance of the season with loved ones and those in need.
