Broccoli soup with bacon

• 12 ounces bacon, uncooked and roughly chopped
• 6 ounces bacon, cooked and crumbled (garnish)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 large parsnip, peeled and diced
• 1 large carrot, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3-4 garlic cloves, peeled and quartered
• 6 cups broth of choice 
• 1.5 lbs fresh broccoli, chopped
• 1 tsp ground pepper; 1 tsp salt  

In a heavy-bottomed pot, cook bacon on medium heat. While this is cooking, cut the onion and add to pot. Stir a few times. Cut parsnip, add to pot and stir. Do this with the carrot, garlic and celery as well. Let this mixture cook for about ten minutes.
Add the broth. Stir. Add the broccoli, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce and simmer covered for 30 minutes.
Using an immersion blender, blend soup until smooth. If you do not have an immersion blender, transfer soup in batches to a standing blender and process until smooth. Taste to see if any additional salt is needed.
Serve in bowls. Add cooked bacon for garnish.