After a cool winter day, there's nothing like a warm, hearty soup to keep you cozy. This Moroccan-Spiced Vegetable and Chickpea Soup is delicious and packed with nutrients. The blend of spices, vegetables, and chickpeas creates a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for any chilly evening.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- A pinch of saffron threads
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 celery ribs, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 medium garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2-pound butternut squash, diced
- 1/2-pound red potatoes, diced
- Kosher salt to taste
- 28 ounces cooked chickpeas
- 14 ounces diced tomatoes
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/3 cup chopped cilantro leaves
Instructions:
1. **Prepare the Broth**: Add the broth to a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer. Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the saffron threads, and let it steep for about 10 minutes.
2. **Sauté the Vegetables**: Place a 3 to 4-quart Dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed sauté pan on the stove over medium heat. Add the olive oil. Once the oil shimmers, add the diced onion, celery, and carrots. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
3. **Add Garlic and Spices**: Add the crushed garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the ground cumin, ground ginger, and turmeric. Cook until aromatic, about 2 minutes.
4. **Add Squash and Potatoes**: Add the diced butternut squash and red potatoes. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Cook until they start to soften, about 6 minutes.
5. **Combine Ingredients**: Stir in the saffron-infused broth, cooked chickpeas, diced tomatoes (with their juices), cinnamon sticks, and golden raisins. Bring the mixture to a boil.
6. **Simmer**: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer until the butternut squash and potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.
7. **Season and Serve**: Taste and season with fresh lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Ladle the soup into warmed bowls, sprinkle with chopped cilantro, and serve with toasted crostini.
This Moroccan-Spiced Vegetable and Chickpea Soup is perfect for warming you up on cool winter days. Enjoy!
Feel free to share this recipe with friends and family and let us know how it turns out! Happy cooking! 🍲✨