BEHIND THE BOOKCASE .... attic living in HEIDELBERG

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Chicken Soup for the Runny Nose

Our neighbors across the hall were sick this past week ... the entire family wasn't feeling well, even their little 12-month-old (who is an absolute doll).  Talk about the nicest people.  Due to their professions, both are exceedingly fluent in English (which I accept as an answer to prayer), thus it has been possible to develop a friendship.  Mr. and Mrs Neighbor along with Baby Neighbor are truly appreciated.  Anyway, they were sick.

Friday morning I decided to make them a batch of homemade chicken noodle soup.  This isn't exactly where the wheels come off, this is the part where I'm doing the same thing here, but in a different way.

Right after we moved, I noticed at most fresh vegetable stands (as well as the commissary, grocery store, and the Aldi-esque shops) there was a similar bundle of vegetable chunks banded together.  I recognized the carrot, leek, and parsley - but not this other "item."  After more than a month of wondering about it, John and I asked one of favorite vegetable sellers about this savory combination.  Between his so-so English and our lousy German - we understood this to be a soup starter.  The produce-meister used sign language to chop the vegetables, season, and add meat. Terrific!  


The other "item" is something like a cross between a turnip and a parsnip.  When I peeled it before chunking, it smelled very similar to celery and worked well in the soup; the flavor was just delicious.  

Since then, we've bought a soup starter bundle almost every week.  No two soup experiences have been the same, but they've all been *cough* souper yummy.  John has always been a big fan of soup and the kids haven't complained one bit.  

I hope my neighbors feel better soon.  I hope we continue to try new and different items from the fresh produce stands.  I hope to always be teachable.

Loving thy neighbor is where it's at.

2 comments:

  1. Looks yummy. You are so sweet to do that for your neighbors. Love that they sell a soup starter vege set.

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  2. I think that is Celery. Celery Root that is.

    http://www.worldcommunitycookbook.org/season/guide/celeriac.html

    and

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celeriac

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