Yields4 ServingsPrep Time25 minsCook Time4 hrs 40 minsTotal Time5 hrs 5 mins

Sweet Potato, Fennel & Ham Soup

Ingredients

 1.20 kg D'Orsogna Smoked Ham Hock
 500 ml Chicken Stock
 750 g Sweet Potato, peeled and diced
 1 Carrot, peeled and chopped
 1 Fennel Head, chopped and fronds reserved
 1 Onion, chopped
 75 g Unsalted Butter, softened
 75 g Parmesan, finely grated
 1 Bay Leaf
 ½ Parsley Bunch, stalks chopped and leaves finely chopped
 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
 1 Pinch of Chilli Flakes
 1 tsp Fennel Seeds, crushed
 2 Rosemary Sprigs, leaves picked
 2 Garlic Cloves

Method

1

In a large frying pan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, fennel, parsley stalks, and carrot. Cook while stirring for 3 minutes until softened. Then, add garlic and rosemary, and continue cooking and stirring for another 3 minutes.

2

Transfer the cooked ingredients to the bowl of a 5L slow cooker. Add sweet potato, ham hock, stock, bay leaf, and 1 liter of water. Season with pepper. Cover with the lid and cook on high for 4 1/2 hours or on low for 7 hours, or until the ham hock is very tender.

3

Remove the ham hock from the soup. Separate the meat from the bone, discarding any fat and skin. Shred the ham. Return half of the shredded ham to the soup and blend using a stick blender until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

4

Garnish the soup with fennel fronds, chopped parsley leaves, remaining ham, and, if desired, a sprinkle of chili flakes. Serve alongside cheesy garlic bread.

Ingredients

 1.20 kg D'Orsogna Smoked Ham Hock
 500 ml Chicken Stock
 750 g Sweet Potato, peeled and diced
 1 Carrot, peeled and chopped
 1 Fennel Head, chopped and fronds reserved
 1 Onion, chopped
 75 g Unsalted Butter, softened
 75 g Parmesan, finely grated
 1 Bay Leaf
 ½ Parsley Bunch, stalks chopped and leaves finely chopped
 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
 1 Pinch of Chilli Flakes
 1 tsp Fennel Seeds, crushed
 2 Rosemary Sprigs, leaves picked
 2 Garlic Cloves

Directions

1

In a large frying pan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, fennel, parsley stalks, and carrot. Cook while stirring for 3 minutes until softened. Then, add garlic and rosemary, and continue cooking and stirring for another 3 minutes.

2

Transfer the cooked ingredients to the bowl of a 5L slow cooker. Add sweet potato, ham hock, stock, bay leaf, and 1 liter of water. Season with pepper. Cover with the lid and cook on high for 4 1/2 hours or on low for 7 hours, or until the ham hock is very tender.

3

Remove the ham hock from the soup. Separate the meat from the bone, discarding any fat and skin. Shred the ham. Return half of the shredded ham to the soup and blend using a stick blender until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

4

Garnish the soup with fennel fronds, chopped parsley leaves, remaining ham, and, if desired, a sprinkle of chili flakes. Serve alongside cheesy garlic bread.

Sweet Potato, Fennel & Ham Soup