Parsnip chowder with squash

Yield: 6 Servings

Ingredients:

1 lb Parsnips
1 lb Butternut squash or sweet -potatoes
4 Strips bacon
1 md Onion finely chopped
2 Stalks celery finely -chopped
3 tb Flour
5 c Chicken stock Bouquet garni of bay leaf -thyme and parsley
1 Cinnamon stick
1 c Heavy cream

Instructions:

Salt Freshly ground white pepper Cayenne pepper Freshly grated nutmeg 3 tb Chopped fresh chives Chowder originated as fish stew. But in areas where seafood was

unavailable, resourceful Americans used vegetables. This recipe comes

from....Rich Spencer, a chef in the Mount Washington Valley. Peel the parsnips and squash (or sweet potatoes) and cut each into 1/4 inch dice. Cut the bacon into 1/4-inch strips and render it in a large saucepan. When the bacon pieces are lightly browned transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to dry. Discard all but 3 tablespoons af the rendered fat. Add the onion and celery to the pan and cook over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes until soft but not browned. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute to make a roux. Whisk in the chicken stock and bring to a boil: the mixture will thicken slightly. Add the bouquet garni cinnamon stick parsnips and squash. Simmer the chowder for 6 to 8 minutes or until the vegetables are tender but not soft. Stir in the cream salt pepper cayenne and nutmeg. Just before serving remove the bouquet garni and cinnamon stick. Ladle the chowder into bowls and sprinkle each with chopped chives and nutmeg. Serves 6 to 8. [Steven Raichlin; The Baltimore Sun Sept 22 1991] Posted by Fred Peters.