Winter Vegetable Chowder

• 6 medium leeks (3 lbs)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 medium stalks celery, chopped
• 3 medium parsnips, chopped
• 2 medium red potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 cups butternut squash, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 3 14 cups vegetable broth
• 4 cups water
• 12 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves, plus thyme sprig (to garnish)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 14 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup half-and-half or 1 cup light cream

1. Cut off roots and trim dark-green tops from leeks.
2. Discard any tough outer leaves.
3. Cut each leek lengthwise in half then crosswise into 1/2"-wide slices.
4. Rinse leeks in large bowl of cold water.
5. Swish to remove sand.
6. With hands, transfer rinsed leeks to colander, leavving sand in bottom of bowl.
7. Repeat rinsing and draining sereral times, until all sand is removed.
8. Drain well.
9. In a 6 qt saucepot, heat olive oil on medium-high heat until hot.
10. Add leeks, celery, and parsnips, and cook 10 to 12 minutes, or until all vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
11. Add potatoes, squash, broth, water, thyme, salt and pepper; heat to boiling over medium-high heat.
12. Cover saucepan, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 10 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
13. Stir in half and half and hat through, about 13 minutes.
14. Spoon into tureen and garnish with the sprig.

leeks, olive oil, stalks celery, parsnips, red potatoes, butternut squash, vegetable broth, water, thyme, salt, pepper, light cream

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/winter-vegetable-chowder-410155 (may not work)