Don't peel the vegetables. Wash and cut the vegetables into small pieces.

Melt butter in a 4-qt saucepan. Add bay leaf and cumin seed. Brown in the saucepan. Add the cut vegetables and salt. Cover for 10 mins. Stir every 3 mins or so.

Add 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for one hour.