Puree of Carrot and Yam with Citrus and Spices

This beautiful soup is bright orange and full of subtle, interesting flavors. Parsnips and celery root quietly balance the sweetness of carrots and yams, and a light touch of spices and citrus juices brings out the best in the vegetables without dominating. But for drama in the bowl and on your taste buds, try this with a little spoonful of dark red chile salsa floating on top of each serving. Fantastic!
serves 6–7


1 large yam (about 1 ¼ lbs.; 570 g)
1 large yellow onion (300 g)
2 Tbs. (30 ml) olive oil
1 tsp. sea salt, plus more to taste
12 oz. (350 g) carrots
6 oz. (170 g) parsnips
4 oz. (120 g) trimmed celery root
1 Tbs. (15 ml) honey or agave nectar
one 1-inch stick cinnamon
½ tsp. coriander seeds, lightly toasted and ground
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
a pinch of hot paprika or cayenne
about 4 cups (1 liter) basic light vegetable broth or vegetable and ginger broth or 3 cups canned vegetable broth diluted with 1 cup water
grated rind of 1 orange
3 Tbs. (45 ml) fresh orange juice
1 Tbs. (15 ml) fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
1 Tbs. unsalted butter (optional)
• • •
garnish: fruity green olive oil
optional garnish: Ancho and Guajillo Chile Puree or other cooked chile salsa


Preheat the oven to 375°.
Wash the yam, pierce it once or twice with a fork, and roast it until it is completely soft, about 45 minutes (longer if you’ve got a very large yam). Allow it to cool slightly, then peel.
While the yam is roasting, chop the onion and sauté it in the olive oil with a pinch of salt over medium-low heat, stirring often until it’s soft and browned, at least 20 minutes, longer if needed.
Peel and slice the carrots, parsnips, and celery root and combine them in a medium soup pot with about 3 cups water, 1 teaspoon salt, the honey, and the spices. Simmer the vegetables, covered, until they are completely tender, about half an hour. Add the roasted yam and the onion as soon as they are ready, along with the vegetable broth, grated orange rind, and citrus juices.
Puree the soup in a blender, in batches, or with an immersion blender until perfectly smooth. Return it to a clean pot, bring it back to a simmer, and taste it. Correct the seasoning with more salt or a little more lemon juice if needed. Stir in the butter at the end for a richer taste and silky texture—or leave it out if you prefer a vegan soup.
Serve the soup with a drizzle of fresh olive oil on top, and for a really spectacular dish, drop a spoonful of dark red salsa in the center of each bowl. A salsa that is not hot, just mildly spicy and incredibly flavorful, is a splendid finish.

Complementary Wines: Chardonnay, Chianti, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Grigio

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