Hearty tomato fennel soup

By Sari Huhtala

The sweet, subtle taste of licorice from the fennel, takes this garden veggie tomatoey soup to a whole new level, both in flavour and nutrition. Fennel is packed with potassium, fibre, selenium, choline, vitamin B-6, vitamin C. Even if you’re not a fan of licorice, you’ll enjoy how fennel enhances the flavour of your soup.

Serves 6

• 1 28-oz can diced tomatoes, or 4 large fresh tomatoes, diced, or 660 ml jar of strained tomatoes
• 4 cups unsalted veggie broth (homemade broth)
• 1 small fennel bulb and stem, chopped
• 1 large carrot, diced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 stalks of celery, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup butternut squash, diced
• 2 cups cooked black beans
• 2 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
• 2 tbsp fennel seeds, or ground fennel
• ½ tbsp dried thyme or handful of fresh thyme leaves, chopped
• 1 large bay leaf
• 1 tsp salt, or to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 1/8 cup of chopped lovage, optional
• 2 dried licorice root pieces, optional
• ¼ cup chopped parsley, optional
• Handful of sundried tomatoes, optional

Heat olive oil on medium-low in a large pot. Add fennel seeds, onion, garlic, celery, squash, carrots, fresh fennel, thyme and salt and pepper. Saute for about 5 minutes. Add the veggie broth and the tomatoes, and sundried tomatoes and chopped lovage, if using. Stir well and bring to a gentle boil. Cook till vegetables are soft. Add the cooked black beans, and parsley, if using, and more lovage if desired, during the last few minutes of cooking time. Serve immediately or store covered in fridge for up to 5 days. Makes great leftover meals, or freezer meals.

Sari Huhtala is the creator, publisher and editor of Alive and Fit Magazine, which was created in 2007.  She has over 25 years of experience in journalism and over 15 years of experience as a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor, and is a holistic chef, offering holistic cooking and edible wilds workshop, and My Farmacy workshops. She is an organic farmer, wild-crafter and grandmother, who has spent over 20 plus years navigating a holistic, healthy path for her family. Reach her at friends@thelaughingforest.ca or visit www.thelaughingforest.ca