Fireweed and wild mushroom soup
Fireweed and wild mushroom soup is a rustic, earthy broth-based soup made with foraged fireweed shoots (often called 'king's spear') and a variety of wild mushrooms. It is a traditional dish in regions like Siberia, Alaska, and parts of Northern Europe, where both ingredients are abundant in the wild. The soup is typically simmered with onions, garlic, and sometimes a touch of cream or sour cream for richness.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This soup is relatively low in calories and carbohydrates, with a moderate amount of plant-based protein from the mushrooms and fireweed. It is a good source of dietary fiber, antioxidants, and essential minerals like potassium and iron, with a rough calorie ballpark of 120-150 kcal per serving.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 135 kcal |
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbs | 15 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 480 mg |
| Potassium | 420 mg |
| Iron | 2.5 mg |
| Vitamin C | 15 mg |
| Selenium | 8 mcg |
| Niacin (B3) | 3.5 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.4 mg |
| Phosphorus | 110 mg |
| Copper | 0.3 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, this soup represents a deep connection to foraging traditions and seasonal eating in boreal and subarctic regions. Nutritionally, fireweed is known for its high vitamin C content and has been used in traditional medicine, while wild mushrooms add a unique umami depth and are rich in B vitamins and selenium.
