Turnip and Pear Soup

This is another Sundays at Moosewood Finnish puree. I am not a huge fan of pears, but I think it is mostly the texture, because I loved this soup. Like the rutabaga and orange soup, I didn't try to serve this to anyone besides baby I and myself. We both loved it. This soup successfully cleaned out all the turnips that had been multiplying in my fridge. This yields 4 cups of soup.

Turnip and Pear Soup
Sundays at Moosewood

1 med onion, chopped
1 T olive oil
3 med-lg turnips, peeled and chopped (3 c worth)
2 lg pears, peeled, cored, and chopped (3 c worth)
1 t dried thyme
1/2 t salt
1 1/4 c vegetable stock or water
1/4 t nutmeg
1 1/2- 2 c pear or apple juice
freshly ground black pepper, to taste

In a large saucepan, saute the onion in olive oil for about 5 minutes, until translucent but not browned. Add the turnips, pears, thyme, and salt. Saute for another 10 minutes or so, stirring occasionally. Add the stock (or water) and cook, covered, on low heat for 20 - 30 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and soft. Add the nutmeg. Puree in blender or food processor with the pear juice until smooth and thick. Season with black pepper to taste.

Baby Food

Baby I is getting older and that means he is almost ready to start eating solid foods. This is yet another reason I love being part of a CSA and shopping at Farmer's Market. I know exactly what food goes into my baby's body and where it came from. I know the farmer and I know nothing unwanted is sneaking in with the food, thanks to the organic produce.

As far as I am concerned, he is ready to eat solids at the perfect time. Apples are at the farmer's market. I am buying 2nds (the apples with spots that need a little work before they're ready to eat) and making applesauce (here's how to make applesauce using a KitchenAid and attachment). That will be followed by some of that wonderful orange winter squash I am currently processing (here's how to do that). I can also find pears at the farmer's market now and soon we'll be getting sweet potatoes in our CSA box. Perfect. When it's time, I'll get a small amount of local lamb (from the farmer's market) to introduce Baby I to meat and then chicken as well. By the time the rich leafy greens and broccoli are in season, he'll be ready to conquer those as well. I can't think of better way to get a child off the right start of eating.

Here's what I am up to on this cool fall day (which we so rarely get in September. September!! I love thee this year!). Applesauce and processing winter squash. I hope to make Kobacha muffins later this week! :)

Pictured are the apples before cooking and after I've cooked them down. They're now ready to process.