Ingredients:
• 1 carrot
• Small wedge (200 grams) pumpkin
• 1 small onion
• 2 celery stalks
• 6 cups water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Meat balls:
• 2 tablespoons rolled oats
• 4 tablespoons milk or water
• 250 grams lean mince
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
Method:
Peel and grate carrot and pumpkin. Finely chop onion and celery. (Or finely chop all in a food processor). Bring vegetables and water to the boil. Simmer, covered, for 1 hour. Add lemon juice.
Using a fork, thoroughly mix meat ball ingredients. With wet hands shape 12 balls. Drop balls, one at time, into soup. Simmer for 20 minutes.
For a toddler, serve a warm meat ball cut into slices with a little of the vegetable soup spooned over. Or serve cold as finger food.
For adults, season soup with salt and pepper to taste.