Hearty eggplant soup

A soup for people who don't like eggplant--my sister gave me the recipe and calls it hearty hamburger soup. We are having it with salad and popovers tonight.

Hearty Eggplant Soup

Ingredients:2 Tbs. olive oil
2 Tbs. Butter
1 large chopped onion
1 Lb. ground beef
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes, drained
1 large eggplant, peeled and choppped
2 garlic cloves, minced or ¼ tsp garlic powder
2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 stalks celery, diced
28 oz. beef or chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ cup uncooked pasta
Parmesan for passing

Directions: Heat oil and butter in a soup pot. Add onion, cook until soft. Add hamburger. Brown. Drain fat. Add tomatoes, eggplant, garlic, carrots celery, broth, sugar, salt, and nutmeg. Bring to a boil; cover. Reduce heat and simmer 1 to 11/2 hours. Add pasta. Cover and cook 10-15 minutes. Serve hot.
Soup improves with standing.