I'll bet you meant aubergine rather then aborigine...but they often are the same color! LOL!
A wide soup pot is wonderful because when the heat source is on the bottom the stuff in the pot stays at a more uniform temperature.
Hmm....hand held smasher...? Do you mean a hand held blender? or a potato masher?
Linda C

Thanks Linda, so much for spell check! OK a wide soup pot it is!

I do not mean a potato masher. The purpose would be to puree the vegetables in the soup. What would be the best way to do this?

Thank you,
Dogitnice

Stick blender.

Any brand suggestions for a stick blender?

The pot I had in mind is a Staub, it was on sale and sold out this morning! I wonder about other brands of iron pots for slow cooking--any suggestions? Is it worth spending the money for the Staub? Rachel Ray and Emeril brands have put out iron pots that are a lot cheaper.

Thank you,
Dogitnice

staub is worth it....as is Le Cruset....
Don't know about RR nor Emeril...
But once you buy a good cast iron enamel ware pot, you will be hooked.
I hear Lodge makes a good pot as well.
Linda C

Descoware (made in Belgium) is almost the equivalent to Le Creuset (made in France) in quality and durability. The manufacture of Descoware enameled cast iron cookware was discontinued in the seventies. However, sometimes you can pick up great bargains for this vintage cookware on Ebay.

Dan