What type of rock to use in stone soup?

[just_M]

My son would like to make stone soup for a get together he is having. Does anyone have any idea about what type of rock might be best to actually boil in a soup? Are there any rocks that could impart good flavor? Are there rocks that should not be used? Any information will be greatly appreciated :-)

TIA _M

[Erika L]

A friend's grandson's class just made stone soup--each child was asked to bring a favorite veggie. He brought Brussels sprouts and reported that he was the only one who brought that vegetable, go figure! There were apparently lots of carrots in the soup.

[just_M]

That reminds me of when my son was in kindergarten, he attended a Waldorff charter school. Every Thursday all the children would knead there own personal mini loaf of bread ( I think they helped make the dough too) anyway they were then taken to the cafeteria for chilling and the next day brought back to the class room for baking. On Friday each child brought a vegetable and they made soup and baked bread. Man that was an awesome school! Maybe that's where his idea to have a party like this really came from :-) Thanks for the memory. _M

[gilintx]

Had to check the calendar to make sure it wasn't April 1st, just_M. So now that others have responded, what the heck are you talking about? Stones imparting flavor? No disrespect, but I'm completely lost.

[paulj]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_soup

[just_M]

I had never considered that someone would not know the story of Stone Soup! I guess I should have provided a link. (Thanks paulj! ) I was raised on the starving soldiers coming back in winter and eventually conning a community into a communal meal.

Since my son is going to make stone soup I just wondered if there were any tasty or unsafe rocks

[guilty]

I also never thought of stone soup actually containing a stone--when people make it nowadays, anyway.

It will probably be safer than axe soup ;)

[sueatmo]

Sounds fun. I wouldn't use sandstone, or limestone or shale. A well rounded granite river rock might work. I'd run it through the dishwasher first!

[just_M]

The dishwasher is a good idea! We'll just have to see what our river has to offer :-)

[paulj]

Stone soup? do you mean the gimmick used to get your friends and neighbors to contribute everything but the water?

[just_M]

That would be the one! Although my son will have access to stock and what not from home ;-) Know any tasty rocks?

[paulj]

Salt is the tastiest rock, but you don't want too much of it!

When heating rocks on a fire, for use in pit cooking or boiling water in a bark basket, you need to be careful to use rocks that will not shatter. But for this use that isn't an issue. Any clean rock will do; a smooth round one would be best. Most rocks don't dissolve fast enough to contribute any flavor.

[just_M]

Yes, salt! usually first ingredient that is noticed would make the soup so much nicer = -)

[teemo]

My first inclination would be one of those large, smooth river stones...that's what I imagine when I think about the stone in the story.

I got curious and did an internet search...apparently there are recipes out there that include stones? People recommend using quartz (so it won't break down when you cook it), or boiling the stone ahead of time to clean it and make sure it will work. Anyway, this sounds really cute! Have fun!

[just_M]

Thanks teemo, a river rock is what I picture too and luckily we live on a river! I did an internet search too and I just must be off today :-( so thanks for the info about quartz.

My son is 17 and rather typically guy, so I was surprised when he asked if he could have this get together and host (his first time). It should be interesting and I hope a lot of fun.