when the cold has forced you into floppy socks and sweatpants mode, what better way to fight back than with a big pot of homemade soup? this one came together pretty easily, was a good way to use up an acorn squash that had been lurking on the counter, and was REALLY good. when the days are cold and dreary, try this yet-unnamed soup to warm you up. (especially if a stubborn gourd is stalking you from the corner of the the kitchen)
veg
1 onion
2 ribs celery
2 med carrots
1 leek
3 cloves garlic
1 acorn squash
4-5 stems chard or other dark leafy green
protein
10 oz. vegan sausage analogue (or sausage if you MUST)
2 cans white cannelini beans (drained)
broth
2C water
2 star anise pods
2 bay leaves
8 juniper berries (if you have them)
1t dried thyme
salt and pepper
olive oil
method
brown crumbled sausage in olive oil in dutch oven or large pot. remove from pan.
peel, seed, chop, and blanch that creepy acorn squash. 1/2 inch cubes worked for me.
chop your mirepoix however you'd like. 1/4 inch dice worked nicely.
sweat leeks, onions, carrots, celery, and garlic in olive oil until translucent and "melted."
add berbere seasoning, star anise, bay, and thyme.
add broth, water, beans, sausage, and squash.
bring to boil, put on lid, drop to med-low for an hour.
chop chard, throw in pot, lid, simmer for another 15 mins.
remove anise pods and bay leaves.
eat warm soup with crusty bread.
grin smugly.
notes
you could use other meats but the subtle spicy sage notes of the sausage really elevate this dish.
the anise is the real star here and it does so in the most brilliantly unobtrusive way. don't skip it.
you can add the constituent spices in the berbere seasoning in smaller amounts if you don't have it.
the juniper berries are nice but not essential.
don't be a sissy with the pepper.
happy souping,
~thorns
p.s. i'm taking suggestions for names for this awesome soup :-)
she's about six months old and was billed as an 
