Peasant Food & Gypsy Pot

It has been some time since Rats and I abandoned our blog spot and the box spring project. Truth be told the box spring has long ago been returned to the earth, ne'er to be resurrected as a trellis or a book frame. Our blog, on the other hand, is back -at least, from this monkey's perspective, and my first order of business is to post a terrific peasant dish that I have recently stumbled upon.
GYPSY POT is a fantastic meal consisting of common ingredients in uncommon union. Bring 8 cups of chicken stock to a boil, cover and simmer on low heat. In a large stockpot, or Dutch oven, add 2 14-oz. cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained, 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks, 1 butternut squash, peeled and cut into bite-size chunks, 2 slightly under-ripe Anjou pears , peeled, cored and cut into bite-size chunks, salt & pepper to taste, and the hot chicken stock. Bring to a boil; simmer 20 minutes, or until squash and carrots are cooked through. In the meantime, in a skillet, saute 2 Tbsp. garlic, minced, and a handful of almonds (about 1/4 cup) in 3 Tbsp. olive oil. Reserving the leftover oil in the pan, transfer the garlic and almonds to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Add to soup. Add 1 large onion, diced, and 1 tsp. sweet paprika to the oil in the skillet and saute until soft. Add 1 14-oz. can diced tomatoes and cook until soft. Add to soup. To finish, add 1 8-oz. package of rice noodles or tofu noodles (shirataki), a pinch of saffron, steeped for 15 minutes in 1/4 cup hot chicken stock, 2 tsp. red wine vinegar. When noodles are hot, season again with salt & pepper to taste, and stir in fresh mint leaves, chopped.
*NUTRITION ESTIMATE, FOR THOSE WHO CARE ABOUT SUCH THINGS
Per Serving: 134 Cal (22% from Fat, 14% from Protein, 64% from Carb); 5 g Protein; 3 g Tot Fat; 0 g Sat Fat; 23 g Carb; 5 g Fiber; NetCarb 18; 54 mg Calcium; 1 mg Iron; 519 mg Sodium; 0 mg Cholesterol
Being that I am increasingly poor, I have developed a fondness for so-called "peasant food" and will continue to post recipes of this nature, pics, and fun food facts for the frugal, as well as the occassional banter. Peace out!