STREAM Activity: Winter Vegetable Soup
Enjoy hardy, healthy vegetables in a delicious soup!
Activity best for children ages 3+ with a grown up
Most of us think of the warmer seasons as the best time for growing fruits and vegetables – but did you know that some edible plants can actually grow in the snowy, winter months? There are plants that are biologically programmed to survive in the winter with less sunlight and colder temperatures. These vegetables can withstand temperatures as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit and if you look closely, you can even see them poking up through a snowy garden. Crops that can survive under snow for at least a short time include rhubarb, beets, cabbage, carrots, rutabaga, endive, kohlrabi, kale, leeks, onions, parsley, parsnips, and turnips. This activity highlights a way to enjoy hardy, healthy winter vegetables in a delicious soup.
Ingredients:
For the milk aromatic:
2 cups of milk
4 parsley sprigs
1 sprig thyme
2 bay leaves
½ onion
1 garlic clove
1 tablespoon of peppercorns
For the soup:
3 tablespoons butter
2 bay leaves
4 leeks sliced
12 peeled and sliced cups of your choice of any winter, root vegetables (we used rutabaga, parsnips, carrots, and turnips)
1 ½ teaspoons of salt
3 tablespoons flour
5 cups of water
Black pepper to taste
Guiding Questions:
What do you notice about vegetables that can grow in the winter?
Even without warmth and sunlight, why can some plants continue to grow during the coldest months?
Directions
Step 1
In a saucepan, put all the ingredients above (under “milk aromatic”) and slowly bring to a boil. Then, turn off the heat and let sit while you prepare the vegetables.
Step 2
Melt the butter in a large soup pot. Add all of the vegetables, bay leaves, and salt. Cook for about 10 minutes before adding the flour and water. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and let simmer for 25 minutes.
Step 3
Strain the milk aromatics into a blender. Add about a cup of the vegetables soup mixture and blend until the consistency is smooth. Stir the puree back into the soup. Add salt and pepper to taste. Decorate with thyme or parsley and serve with french bread!
Grown Ups-Are you looking for more ways to extend your child’s learning? Check out these extension activities to build upon today’s STREAM activity!
Reading Connections:
“Veggie Soup” written & illustrated by Dorothy Donohue
Math Connections
Measuring things like ingredients and managing cooking time are essential math skills that children will use for a lifetime!
Share your winter vegetable soup with us on Instagram by tagging @sdcdm320!
Questions about this activity? Email education@sdcdm.org
