Hamburger Soup with Pearl Couscous and Vegetables

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups (310 ml) pearl couscous
• 1 3/4 cups (430 ml) water
• Olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 large cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• 2 large parsnips, peeled, quartered lengthwise and sliced
• 4 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 small acorn squash, peeled and seeds removed, diced
• 550 g (1 1/4 lb) lean ground beef
• 1 can of 796 ml diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Italian spices
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried basil
• 6 cups (1.5 L) beef broth
• 1/2 cup (125 ml) frozen corn
• Freshly ground salt and pepper