Ingredients:
6 large beets, scrubbed, halved
1 bunch carrots, scrubbed, top and ends trimmed,
1 large onion, small dice
4 large leeks, washed well, sliced into thin rounds
4 apples, cored, cut into small chunks
6-8 cups vegetable stock
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
4 tablespoons minced ginger (add according to your taste)
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, or to taste

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Put the beets in a large bowl and sprinkle generously with olive and balsamic vinegar. Lightly salt and pepper. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
3. Repeat this process with the carrots.
4. Roast the beets and carrots for 40 minutes, or until tender and browned. The carrots may not take as long to roast as the beets, so check every once in a while. Stir occasionally while they are roasting. Remove from the oven when they are tender. Set aside to cool.
5. Meanwhile, in a large soup, heat over medium-high heat 1 tablespoon olive and add the onions. Saute, stirring occasionally, until the onions begin to caramelize, about 7-10 minutes. Add the leeks and cook, stirring, until they begin to turn bright and green and wilt, about 5 minutes. Add the chopped apples and ginger; continue to cook, stirring occasionally, sweating them down for another 5-10 minutes. Set aside.
6. When the carrots are cool, cut them into 1-inch pieces and add to the soup pot.
7. Peel the beets and cut into 1-inch pieces, adding them to the soup pot.
8. Return the soup pot to the stove, add the stock, and cook, over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes or until the vegetables have heated through and are beginning to cook down. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
9. Remove from heat, puree the soup in batches in a food processor or blender until it becomes a very smooth consistency. Put back on the stove and heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warm to hot. Taste, add the vinegar to your liking and season with more salt and pepper if needed.

Serves 6 or more