Winter Vegetable Soup

(recipe from Cook Your Way to the Life You Want by Christina Pirello)

1-inch piece kombu
1 onion, diced
2 cups diced green cabbage
2 cups cubed winter squash (such as butternut)
1 cup rolled oats
6 to 7 cups water or vegetable stock
2 to 3 tsp. miso

Layer kombu and other vegetables in a soup pot in the order listed.  Top with oats, and add water.  Cover, and bring to a boil over medium heat.  Reduce heat to low, and simmer, covered, until vegetables are soft and oats are very creamy, about 40 minutes.  Remove a small amount of liquid, and use to dissolve miso.  Stir miso mixture gently into soup, and simmer, uncovered, 3 to 4 minutes to activate the enzymes in miso.

(This soup needs way more seasoning!  Season to taste, and it is delicious.)