Green Mountain Gardener

I recently purchased the book “Love Soup” by Anna Thomas, author of The Vegetarian Epicure.  As the gardening season winds down, I find myself spending way more time in the kitchen…  (which translates to:  I actually care what is in the refrigerator now that I can’t obsess over my plants).  I bought this book with the idea that it would be perfect for utilizing the remaining veggies from the garden, as well as those we continue to receive from CSA.  The book includes soups for each season, as well as green, squash, and bean soups, hearty stews, and recipes for breads, salads, and a few sweet treats.

On Sunday, I spent the afternoon making a basic light vegetable broth and a Roasted Turnip and Winter Squash soup garnished with a dab of mascarpone and chipotle sauce.  The perfect thing to warm you up on a brisk fall day.  Next weekend I plan to make The Great Pumpkin Soup and Spicy Black Bean and Sweet Pepper soup for the freezer.

Love Soup has inspired me to add a few more vegetables to my garden next spring, such as leeks, chard, parsnips, fennel, and mint.  That is, if I can find the room.  What kinds of things have inspired you to try growing new things in your garden?