Total Time 1 hr
AuthorElaine Johnson

This soup has two layers of kumquats–cooked in the soup to become mellow and tender, and finely chopped with parsley for a bright topping.

How to Make It

Step 1
1

Sauté pancetta in oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat until browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Discard all but 2 tbsp. fat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and thyme; cook, stirring often, until vegetables start to brown, 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 2
2

Add lentils, 6 cups broth, and the pepper to pot. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until lentils are almost tender, 25 to 30 minutes.

Step 3
3

Meanwhile, quarter kumquats and seed**. Finely chop 3/4 cup. Thinly slice remaining kumquats crosswise.

Step 4
4

Stir sliced kumquats into soup and add 1/4 tsp. salt. Simmer until lentils are tender, about 5 more minutes. Stir in 3 tbsp. parsley and a little more broth if you like.

Step 5
5

In a small bowl, combine chopped kumquats and remaining 6 tbsp. parsley and 1/4 tsp. salt; spoon onto bowls of soup.

Step 6
6

*French green lentils (also called Du Puy lentils) and black beluga lentils hold their shape after cooking. Find them at well-stocked grocery stores and purcellmountainfarms.com.

Step 7
7

**To seed kumquats, quarter the fruit lengthwise; then remove seeds with a knife tip.

Ingredients

 3/4 cup (4 oz.) chopped pancetta or bacon
 1 tablespoon olive oil
 1 large onion, finely chopped
 3/4 cup diced carrots
 3/4 cup diced celery
 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
 1 1/2 cups French green*, black beluga, or regular lentils, sorted from debris and rinsed
  About 6 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
 3/4 teaspoon pepper
 8 ounces kumquats (about 24)
 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
 9 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley, divided

Directions

Step 1
1

Sauté pancetta in oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat until browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Discard all but 2 tbsp. fat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and thyme; cook, stirring often, until vegetables start to brown, 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 2
2

Add lentils, 6 cups broth, and the pepper to pot. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until lentils are almost tender, 25 to 30 minutes.

Step 3
3

Meanwhile, quarter kumquats and seed**. Finely chop 3/4 cup. Thinly slice remaining kumquats crosswise.

Step 4
4

Stir sliced kumquats into soup and add 1/4 tsp. salt. Simmer until lentils are tender, about 5 more minutes. Stir in 3 tbsp. parsley and a little more broth if you like.

Step 5
5

In a small bowl, combine chopped kumquats and remaining 6 tbsp. parsley and 1/4 tsp. salt; spoon onto bowls of soup.

Step 6
6

*French green lentils (also called Du Puy lentils) and black beluga lentils hold their shape after cooking. Find them at well-stocked grocery stores and purcellmountainfarms.com.

Step 7
7

**To seed kumquats, quarter the fruit lengthwise; then remove seeds with a knife tip.

Lentil and Kumquat Soup

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