Harvest Stew with Fresh Herb Dumplings

1 cup pear nectar
1 cup. vegetable stock
1 Tbl Dijon mustard
3 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1 tsp salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 piece of butternut pumpkin, peeled & cut into chunks
3 small turnips, peeled and quartered
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 zucchini, sliced, or other green veg in season
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 tart apple, cored, peeled & grated
6 garlic cloves, chopped
DUMPLINGS
1 cup. plain  flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup thin yoghurt
2 Tbl butter, melted
1 Tbl chopped spring onions, plus rest of the thyme

DIRECTIONS
Whisk together pear nectar, stock, mustard, 2 tsp thyme, ½ tsp salt and pepper in a large saucepan. Add the squash, turnips, carrots, zucchini, onion, apple and garlic. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered until the veggies are just tender (about 15 minutes).

Meanwhile, combine the flour, baking powder and remaining ½ tsp salt in a large bowl. Combine the buttermilk and butter in another bowl. Add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture and stir just until the mixture forms a soft dough. Stir in the herbs.

Drop the dough by tablespoons onto the simmering stew. Simmer the stew, uncovered, for 10 minutes, then cover and cook until the dumplings are firm (about 10 minutes more).