Chayote, Carrot, Snow Fungus & Pork Shin Soup

Why people make this soup

Chayote is a year-round vegetable that suits any constitution. It is rich in dietary fibre, several vitamins and minerals, plus folate — good for gut health, immunity and the heart — and its high selenium content is traditionally linked to easing inflammation. With the weather swinging hot and cold, more delicate folk catch things easily, so a chayote soup makes a nice bit of conditioning. Paired with carrot and snow fungus, it’s a clear, sweet everyday soup traditionally used to ease inflammation, moisten the lung and soothe a cough. Chayote is available at Chinese or Asian grocers.

Method

1. Peel and chunk the chayote and carrot.
2. Soak the snow fungus until soft and trim off the hard stems.
3. Cut the pork shin and blanch it briefly.
4. Put everything in 2.1–2.4 L of water and simmer for about 1.5 hours until reduced to 1.2–1.5 L.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup is clear and sweet and old and young can enjoy it. It’s a good choice for pregnant women who need more folate, and taken regularly it helps build the constitution and supports graceful aging.