Baby, it's Cold Outside

Sunday, the rain raged against the panes of the house, and the sky was dark. In past years at this time, I've felt storm clouds inside myself, as if winter was something to be swallowed, as if my whole body absorbed the gray from outside. This year, I am determined to fight off any pending winter chills with good vibes in a warm house. And on dark and stormy afternoons, wouldn't you like to come home to this? It's Portuguese-style potato kale soup with garlicky, spicy sausage and it warmed my soul on Sunday.


Seasonal beverage? Certainly. This means I should add some to the soup, right? (My mom is laughing right now because she knows I am notorious for drinking half my bottle of beer.)

It all started because I've been volunteering at this garden in the city: http://www.thefreefarm.org/ Earlier this year, some folks started a garden where anyone can come volunteer and they give the produce away for free in needy neighborhoods without grocery stores. It's run by a guy named Tree--no kidding! Anyway, my three hours of weed pulling and seedling planting was rewarded with two bags full of purple kale and collard greens. Naturally, I was excited because I had never before worked with either of these ingredients.

A lesson I learned a long time ago from my folks--nothing chases the blues quite like a hot soup. First of all, soup makes your place smell warm and inviting. This one's packed with vital nutrients too. I checked--collard greens and kale are super foods; they've got iron, calcium, all the B vitamins, plus they fight cancer, clean your house, and fold your laundry. Okay, maybe not the last two. But I'm more in the mood to do those things when full of stick-to-your-ribs comfort food like this. Makes the rain outside not seem quite so angry, while inside I am curled up and content.