COSY UP WITH COMFORT FOOD

Anna Cairns Pettigrew shares warming recipes for the late-season harvest. Sweet apples and vibrant cabbages take centre stage, bringing colour and comfort to chilly autumn days

- Anna Cairns Pettigrew

SPICED APPLE & PARSNIP SOUP

A warming bowl of autumn delights, bringing together the sweetness of parsnips and the tartness of seasonal apples

Serves 4

Ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

500g (1lb 2oz) parsnips, peeled and diced

2 medium apples, peeled, cored and diced

1 tsp ground cumin

½ tsp ground ginger

1 litre (1¾ pints) vegetable stock

Salt and pepper, to taste

Method:

1. Heat the oil in a large pan, then soften the onion and garlic for 5 minutes.

2. Stir in parsnips, apples, and spices. Cook for 2-3 minutes.

3. Pour in the stock, bring to the boil, then simmer for 20 minutes or until tender.

4. Blend until smooth. Season to taste and serve warm.

Garden note: Parsnips taste sweetest after the first frost - perfect timing with late- season apples

CABBAGE SLAW WITH APPLE CIDER DRESSING & CORIANDER