Glutinous Corn, Chestnut, Apple and Red Date Vegetarian Soup

Why people make this soup

Glutinous corn is rich in plant protein and vitamin E, with more chew than ordinary corn; the purple-skinned kernels carry anthocyanins for antioxidant support. When chestnuts are in season and apples are at their best, a simple vegetarian soup almost makes itself — naturally sweet, with ingredients you can eat too. Together with red dates, this combination is traditionally associated with supporting the spleen and kidneys and helping maintain bone density.

Method

1. Husk the corn and cut into pieces. Blanch the chestnuts in boiling water and remove the skins.
2. Scrub the apples clean with the skin on, cut into chunks and core. Pit the red dates.
3. Put everything in a pot with 2.1–2.4 L of water and simmer for 1 hour until reduced to about 1.2 L. Eat both soup and ingredients.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup is delicious and, drunk regularly, is traditionally associated with building blood and supporting the complexion; it suits all ages. But it is high in calories and sugar, so people with diabetes should not drink much.