Soup vegetables typically include four key ingredients: carrots, celery root, leeks, and parsley. Together, these ingredients create a flavorful base that can enhance a variety of dishes. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to prepare and use this classic combination to build a delicious foundation for your soups and other recipes.
What are Soup Vegetables?
Soup vegetables are a mix of various vegetables and herbs that come together to create a savoury base for soups and stews. The typical components are root and bulb vegetables that add rich flavour. In our kitchen, soup vegetables usually include:
- Carrots
- Celery root
- Leeks
- Curly parsley
This combination provides a deliciously aromatic and hearty foundation for your dishes.
Depending on the region, the exact ingredients might vary slightly. Instead of celery root, you might come across a mix that includes stalk celery. Similarly, you might find that instead of curly parsley, a piece of parsley root is included in the bundle of soup vegetables.
Easy Preparation of Soup Vegetables
Soup vegetables form the foundation for many dishes, commonly used in broths, like my homemade vegetable stock, soups, and stews. For example, I always use fresh soup vegetables for my grandma’s noodle soup, where they also serve as a delicious addition to the soup. I also love using this veggie mix to create rich, dark sauces, adding an intense flavour and depth.
Here’s how to prepare it easily:
- Peel and Dice: Peel the carrots and celery root, then cut them into cubes. If you’re using them as a base for soups or broths, you can cut them into larger chunks. For use as a soup addition, I recommend dicing them into smaller pieces.
- Slice Leeks: Cut the leeks into rings. Make sure to wash them thoroughly, as dirt often hides between the layers.
- Chop Parsley: Finely chop the parsley to release its aroma and flavor.
With these simple steps, you can quickly prepare your soup vegetables for any recipe.
Freezing Soup Vegetables
Freezing soup vegetables is a fantastic way to extend their shelf life—up to a year—and have them ready whenever you need them. Here’s how you can do it:
- Prepare the Vegetables: Follow the usual preparation steps—peel, dice, and chop the vegetables and parsley.
- Portion and Pack: Place the prepared vegetables into freezer bags or a suitable container, dividing them into portions.
- Freeze: Store the bags or container in the freezer.
Now, you can easily whip up delicious soups, stews, and sauces with your prepped soup vegetables!
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Carrots | 250 g |
| Celery Root | 120 g |
| Leeks | 130 g |
| Curly Parsley | – |
| Optional Ingredients | Quantity |
| Parsley Root | – |
| Parsnip | – |
| Calories | 232 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 53 g |
| Protein | 6 g |
| Fat |