Hearty winter vegetable stew

• 2 tbs oil
• 1 onion, peeled and roughly chopped
• 1 large leek, thinly sliced
• 500g parsnips, peeled and cut into chunks
• 3 medium kumara, cut into chunks
• 400g can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp chilli powder or crushed chilli (optional)
• 1L salt-reduced vegetable stock
• 1 cup unsalted roasted cashew nuts
• ½ cup pasta shapes
• 1 cup button mushrooms, cleaned, stalks removed
• salt and pepper to taste (optional)

Crostini

• 1 french bread stick
• olive oil for brushing
• 2 tbs pesto