Creamy Ham and Root Veggie Soup

A meal straight from the farm. What a perfect soup to make from a hodgepodge of vegetables from your CSA box that you’re not sure what to do with. This bowl of comfort is a great introduction to some root vegetables that you might not have cooked with before.

• Hands-On Time: 15 minutes

• Cook Time: 20 minutes

Serves 4


3 tablespoons ghee

1 medium sweet onion, peeled and diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 large carrot, peeled and diced

1 cup peeled and cubed celeriac

1 small rutabaga, peeled and diced

4 cups chicken broth

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, divided

1 tablespoon cooking sherry

2 cups cubed cooked ham

1 Press the Sauté button on the Instant Pot® and heat ghee. Add onion and sauté 3–5 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute until fragrant.

2 Add carrot, celeriac, rutabaga, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon thyme to pot and lock lid. Press the Manual or Pressure Cook button and adjust time to 10 minutes. When timer beeps, quick-release pressure until float valve drops and then unlock lid.

3 Use an immersion blender to purée the soup in the pot or purée in a stand blender in batches. Stir in sherry and ham and let simmer 5 minutes.

4 Ladle into bowls and garnish with remaining thyme. Serve warm.

WHAT IS A CSA?

CSA stands for community-supported agriculture. It allows a local community member to receive a box per week or biweekly made up of a produce collection from regional farmers. You are essentially buying a share of the crop which is paid for upfront allowing the farmers to plan better for their season while you receive crops that are completely fresh and haven’t left a large carbon footprint in its wake.