Vegetarian Broth

Vegetarian Broth

• 6 unpeeled carrots, cut into thirds
• 2 unpeeled yellow onions, cut into chunks
• 1 leek, white and green parts, cut into thirds
• 1 bunch celery, including the heart, cut into thirds
• 4 unpeeled red potatoes, quartered
• 2 unpeeled Japanese or regular sweet potatoes, quartered
• 1 unpeeled garnet yam,quartered
• 5 unpeeled cloves garlic, halved
• 1/2 bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 8-inch strip of kombu
• 12 black peppercorns
• 4 whole allspice or juniper berries
• 2 bay leaves
• 8 quarts cold, unfiltered water
• 1 teaspoon sea salt or Himalayan salt

1. Rinse all of the vegetables well, including the kombu.
2. In a 12-quart or larger stockpot, combine the carrots, onions, leek, celery, potatoes, sweet potatoes, yam, garlic, parsley, kombu, peppercorns, allspice berries, and bay leaves.
3. Fill the pot with the water to 2 inches below the rim, cover, and bring to a boil.
4. Remove the lid, decrease the heat to low, and simmer, uncovered, for at least 2 hours. As the broth simmers, some of the water will evaporate; add more if the vegetables begin to peek out. Simmer until the full richness of the vegetables can be tasted.
5. Strain the broth through a large, coarse-mesh sieve (remember to use a heat-resistant container underneath), then add salt to taste.
6. Let cool to room temperature before refrigerating or freezing.