This rich soup, which is packed with vegetables, is an unusual way to enjoy wild rice. Wild rice contains a substance that produces a unique texture in this soup, not unlike a chowder. Incidentally, wild rice is not rice; it?s actually a long-grain marsh grass native to the Great Lakes region of the United States. Many local Native Americans earn their living harvesting wild rice, which is why it?s sometimes known as Indian rice. Clean wild rice before cooking by placing in bowl with plenty of cold water. Give rice a stir; set aside a few minutes to let any debris float to surface. Pour off water and proceed with recipe.