Best 2 Old Fashioned Winter Vegetable Chowder Recipes

RUSTIC ROASTED WINTER VEGETABLE CHOWDER

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In a large bowl, toss the butternut squash, parsnips, sweet potatoes, carrots, and fennel with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt. Spread in a single layer on a large baking sheet and roast until tender and browned in places, about 40 minutes, turning a couple of times while roasting.
• While the veggies are roasting, prepare the base of the soup. To a large saucepan over low heat, add 3 tablespoons olive oil. Add the onion along with a pinch of salt and a bit of pepper, then cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in the flour and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Stir in the vegetable broth. Add the potatoes and thyme. Bring to a boil over medium heat then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes or until potatoes are soft. Remove from heat. Pick out the thyme stems and discard.
• Stir in the roasted vegetables. Carefully transfer about 3 cups of the chowder to the pitcher of a blender. Puree until smooth. Return the pureed mixture to the pot and stir to combine. The soup should be thick, rich, and creamy.
• Stir in the milk. Place the pot back on the burner, and, with the heat on medium-low, return to a simmer, stirring often to prevent burning.
• Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired.
• Serve garnished with an additional turn of cracked pepper and thyme leaves. Sometimes, I'll reserve a few of the roasted veggies for garnish too.

OLD-FASHIONED WINTER VEGETABLE CHOWDER

Steps:

• 1.To prepare cream sauce: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 cup finely chopped onion and cook, stirring, until soft but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes more. Add 5 cups broth and wine and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until the rice is very soft and the liquid is greatly reduced, about 25 minutes. Cool slightly. 2.Transfer the mixture to a blender and puree, in batches if necessary, until smooth. (Alternatively, puree in the pot with an immersion blender.) The consistency should be similar to a pourable sauce; add more broth or water as needed. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper, preferably white pepper. 3.To prepare soup: Heat a heavy soup pot over medium heat and add bacon (or pancetta); cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate; pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat in the pot. 4.Add 1 tablespoon oil, 2 medium chopped onions, carrot, celery, garlic and fennel seed. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and just beginning to color, about 5 minutes. Add dry mustard and cook, stirring, for 1 minute more. Add 4 cups broth, potatoes and rutabaga and bring to a boil. 5.Reduce heat to maintain a simmer, cover and cook until the vegetables are tender but still hold their shape, 15 to 20 minutes. Mash a few of the vegetables against the side of the pot with the back of a spoon and cook for 2 minutes more to slightly thicken the soup. 6.Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the Cream Sauce and heat until steaming but not boiling. Remove from heat; add cheese and stir until melted. Season with pepper. Serve topped with chives (or scallion greens) and the reserved bacon (or pancetta). Tips & Notes Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate cream sauce (Steps 1 & 2) for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator or using the defrost setting on your microwave.