Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 medium Carrot, diced
- 1 medium Onion, diced
- 1 rib Celery, diced
- 3 cloves Garlic, crushed (or to taste)
- 8 cups Water
Soup Ingredients
- 1 cup Pearl barley, rinsed
- 2 cubes Vegetable bouillon
- 1 tsp Salt (or to taste)
- 1 tsp Turmeric powder
- ½ tsp Black pepper, cracked
- 4 Bay leaves
- 1½ cups Zucchini, diced
- 1½ cups Butternut Squash, diced
Finishing Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery. Stir continuously until the vegetables are softened and slightly golden. Add the crushed garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Simmer Soup Base: Pour the water into the pot and add the rinsed pearl barley, vegetable bouillon cubes, salt, turmeric powder, cracked black pepper, and bay leaves. Cover the pot and bring to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 20 minutes, allowing the barley and flavors to develop.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in the diced zucchini and butternut squash. Continue to simmer uncovered for another 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the barley is cooked through.
- Finish and Serve: Turn off the heat and carefully remove the bay leaves from the soup. Stir in the fresh parsley and apple cider vinegar to brighten the flavors. Serve the soup warm for a nourishing meal.
Notes
- Rinse the pearl barley thoroughly to remove any dust before adding to the soup.
- Adjust the salt according to your dietary preference or omit if using a low-sodium bouillon.
- You can substitute butternut squash with other winter squash varieties or sweet potatoes.
- For a thicker soup, cook the barley a bit longer or blend part of the soup for added creaminess.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegan
