January 1 rang in a new year and brought with it some frigid temperatures across the country. But since January is National Soup Month, battle the winter forecast of brrr by celebrating with this easy recipe.Three Sisters Harvest Vegetable Soup, showcases the bounty of local foods from Ontario County in the Finger Lakes and features the principal crops of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) people. Make sure to head to the Canandaigua Winter Farmers Market for all your soup ingredients first!

I have to be honest, though—one of the three sisters really steals the show when it comes to this soul-warming Native American soup recipe, and that’s the Iroquois hulled white corn from the Iroquois White Corn Project. Sorry, little sisters, but you’ll understand when you’re older. The Iroquois White Corn Project is an “agri-cultural” nonprofit business at Ganondagan State Historic Site in Victor, run by Friends of Ganondagan. All their products are non-GMO and gluten free, and have a low glycemic index, making them a wonderful and nutritious food source. 

Corn has long been a food staple of the Haudenosaunee people, and together with beans and squash is referred to as the food that “sustains us.” You can always read the Legend of the Three Sisters to find out more, but first, check out this video to see how to cook this delicious and simple soup!

Now that you know what to eat for dinner during National Soup Month, ladle up a hearty bowl of Three Sisters Harvest Vegetable Soup and sustain yourself this January. Want the recipe? Click here! Want more Finger Lakes foodie news? Sign up!