Broccoli is the star of this substantial stick-to-your-ribs soup for fall. To be sure, there’s some Canadian bacon in it, adding flavor, but it plays only a supporting role.

Canadian bacon delivers that same smoky taste of bacon – reminiscent of the hearth and fall leaves burning – without a ton of calories. Canadian bacon actually is smoked pork loin, one of the leanest parts of the pig, and has no relation to regular bacon, which comes from the fatty belly.

And just as this soup boasts smokiness without a lot of bacon fat, it is thick and creamy without any butter, cream or flour. The trick? Pureeing the vegetables.