• 2 cups room temperature water
• 2-3 cups butternut pumpkin (peeled, seeded and chopped into 3cm cubes)
• 1 carrot (whole)
• 1/2 shallot stick
• 1/2 celery stick
• 1/4 zucchini
• 10 chestnuts (without shell)
• 1 stock cube (massel)
• 2 leaves basil
• 1 small sprig parsley
• 1/2 sprig rosemary
• 1/2 sprig thyme
• Optional: Pinch salt & pepper

• Yogurt or cashew cream
• Chopped chives
• Nutmeg
• Cracked pepper

Put all the ingredients into a Vitamix container in the order listed and secure the lid.
Select Variable.
Turn the machine on and slowly increase the speed to 10, then to High.
Use tamper to press the ingredients into the blades if required.
Blend for 3-6 minutes or until soup reaches desired temperature.

Chestnuts can be purchased (peeled and frozen) from some grocery outlets when out of season. Cashews, Macadamias or any other nut can be substituted.