For most of my adult years, I’ve preferred vegetables over fruits – especially heartier ones since they are a good source of starches. Without eating grains, it opens up options for vegetables to serve as a better carbohydrate source, and I love that they fuel  me for exercise.  That being said, I’m always on the hunt for a good root vegetables recipe … so I combined a number of them and made them into this chunky root vegetable stew. It’s warming, nourishing and full of vitamins A & C. Whether you’re an athlete or like to work out, avoiding grains or just looking to up your veggie game – get this one into your rotation! I promise you won’t be disappointed.

What is considered a root vegetable?

Root vegetables grow underground at the base of the plant. Not all of them are roots; some are also bulbs and tubers, and these absorb nutrients to feed the rest of the plant. This makes root vegetables nutrient powerhouses. However, they are often considered more like grains than greens since they are so high in carbohydrates. My personal beliefs don’t include counting vegetable carbs, so this stew is chock full of goodness including lots of veggies and vitamins, too.

Examples of root vegetables:

• fennel
• onion
• ginger
• turmeric
• beets
• parsnips
• turnips
• sweet potatoes
• yucca
• carrots

What does it mean to “sweat the vegetables”?

Sweating vegetables is done by cooking the vegetables in a little bit of oil or butter (fat) over a low heat. The key is to keep them covered. By keeping the lid on, you allow the vegetables to “sweat” or steam themselves, which allows them to get nice and tender and to also bring out a depth of flavor. I first learned this method when making Carrie Vitt’s Creamy Chicken Tomato and Vegetable Soup and have loved this cooking method since!

Why do you sweat vegetables when making soups or stews?

Sweating the vegetables allows them to cook with that added flavor, without allowing them to burn or brown. It softens them and releases flavor, both desirable when making soups and stews.

5 from 4 votes

Print

Chunky Root Vegetable Stew

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

40 mins

 

An autumn inspired chunky root vegetable stew that's full of nourishing vegetables including parsnips, carrots, leeks, turnips and more.

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Dinner, soup, stew, vegetables

Servings: 6

Calories: 352 kcal

Ingredients

• 4 TBSP butter (sub coconut oil to make it vegetarian)
• 4 large carrots , peeled
• 3 medium parsnips , peeled
• 1 medium turnip , peeled
• 2 large leeks , washed and cut into 1/4 inch circles
• 8 scallions (white parts and minimal amounts of green cut into small pieces)
• 1 large butternut squash , peeled and cubed
• 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes , peeled
• 5 cups chicken broth (sub vegetable broth to make it vegetarian)
• 2 cloves garlic , peeled and diced
• 1/2 cup fresh marjoram leaves
• salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cut all vegetables into 1/4 inch pieces.

2. In a large soup pot, add the butter and melt over medium high heat until melted. Add the carrots, parsnips, turnip, leeks, scallions and butternut squash, stir and cover. Lower heat to low and cook covered for 15 minutes to sweat the vegetables.

3. Remove lid, add salt & pepper to taste, and add broth. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.

4. Add potatoes and garlic and simmer for 15 minutes or until potatoes are cooked through. Add marjoram, mix in and taste. Adjust salt & pepper if needed. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Chunky Root Vegetable Stew

Amount Per Serving

Calories 352 Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Fat 10g15%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Cholesterol 20mg7%

Sodium 211mg9%

Potassium 1826mg52%

Carbohydrates 61g20%

Fiber 13g54%

Sugar 11g12%

Protein 12g24%

Vitamin A 22380IU448%

Vitamin C 74mg90%

Calcium 199mg20%

Iron 8mg44%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Adding protein to this chunky root vegetable stew

While I love the fact that this is a plant based stew, there are others (like my husband) who will feel the need for more. For those who want to add additional protein to this, simply stir in some cooked chicken or even prepared quinoa.

How to serve this stew

This stew is best served right after cooking or at room temperature. It pairs nicely with a crusty piece of bread, biscuit, or anything of that sort. For added vegetables, serve it alongside a nice green salad.

Are you also a fan of stews and soups? For more inspiration, check out these 20 Healthy Soup Recipes. Enjoy!