Thursday, August 25, 2011

Chilled Zucchini Soup with Mint


I'm a soup-slut. There - I confessed it. I proclaim everlasting adoration for tortellini in brodo but if a new soup winks at me, I have a dalliance. I will waltz with vichysoisse. Tango with Tuscan bean soup - and then search for any soup at 3 a.m. when all is still except my stomach. And this week I found a new love - cold zucchini soup with mint. Not only is it delicate, creamy (without too much cream) and elegant - it is a workhorse. It uses zucchini clubs. You know those precious two inch zucchini that begged to stay in the garden for one more day? Only to transform over night into a club large enough to down a T-Rex? Yes, you can use those in this soup.


I found it in a May 2005 issue of Bon Appetit. From those days when the May magazine would be devoted to a region - and that month was devoted to Rome, Florence and Venice. Of course I saved it.



Cold Zucchini Soup with Mint - 8 servings  (four servings in my house)
1 tablespoon butter
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
4-5 chopped leeks
8 cups chopped, trimmed zucchini (about 1 zucchini club)
6 cups vegetable broth
1/3 cup whipping cream (the 2nd time I used evaporated skim milk and it was delicious)
1-1/2 tablespoon minced fresh mint (I used more) plus mint leaves for garnish (I used zucchini flowers)




 Chilled Zucchini Soup Preparation
Melt butter with oil in heavy pot over medium-high heat.
Add leeks and saute until soft (not browned) - about five minutes.
Add zucchini and saute until softened (another 5 minutes or so).
Add 5 cups vegetable soup and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until zucchini is very tender - about 20 minutes.
Working in batches, puree soup in blender until smooth (I cooled to soup and used an immersion blender). 
When pureed, return soup to same pot and mix in cream and mint.
Cover and chill in refrigerator at least 3 hours or overnight. 
If too thick, add some extra broth.


This was perfect. The small amount of cream added luxury. Really - you just want sip it wearing your Armani suit. The zucchini club was enchanted - transformed from something unwieldy to sweet lusciousness. Try it - have a dalliance with this zucchini soup. Make it your last summer fling.

42 comments:

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

I have never read a soup more refreshing sounding than this one... absolutely delightful to even think about it on my tongue... very nice presentation beautifully done my dear!

Gina said...

I have almost had my fill of zucchini, but I would make room for this soup, we had soup last night. I love it even in the summer.
-Gina-

Carolyn said...

I've come to love chilled soup as a refreshing summer lunch or dinner. This looks wonderful!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

I wish I had some of those zucchini clubs to make this soup. I am hoping zucchini are still available at the farmer's markets here. You made it beautiful with the flowers on top.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Looks delicious. I laugh at you May 2005 recipe. I pull recipes out of magazines often - and then don't make them for years.

I think I'd this cold soup. Makes me want a fresh fruit soup for today.

We Are Not Martha said...

I love cold sop and this looks amazing!! Perfect use for all that summer mint, too :)

Sues

Kate @ Kate from Scratch said...

This looks delicious! I love a nice refreshing, light but hearty soup. This looks perfect!

That Girl said...

It's not you that's easy - it's the soups! That's what makes them so attractive.

Beth said...

I love soup too. And I love anything that uses up zucchini! What a great combination.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Oh, this sounds wonderful! And what a great use for those mega zucchinis :)

Magic of Spice said...

What a beautiful soup...so creamy and love the addition of mint :)

Proud Italian Cook said...

I'm in with this! I've had zucchini clubs I've been pawning off, sounds luxurious!

Anne said...

Your family is so lucky to have you! Such delicious food!

Kelly | Eat Yourself Skinny said...

What a gorgeous dish, looks so delicious! :)

Reeni said...

My stomach needs this now! I hope my garden gives me some more zucchini! This sounds lovely.

createwithmom said...

perfect for the season soup looks fabulous

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

What a wonderful soup for a hot summer day, Claudia, especially when zucchini is so plentiful! I'm amazed you could still find fresh zucchini flowers, as they are all exhausted form specialty markets around here. I do ahve plenty of mint in my herb collection. I hope all my herbs and veggie survive the hurricane!

Jill@MadAboutMacarons said...

Claudia, this is just too funny. I love your zucchini club, the Armani suit and the last fling of summer. I would definitely join in with a bowl of this even at 3am!

Kristen said...

Very nice. I think that is the perfect summer soup.

Sandra said...

Wow this really sounds so tasty..I love the presentation and recipe is just perfect for this time of year!

Unknown said...

I've always had a hard time wrapping my arms around the concept of cold soup. Gazpacho is as far as I've gotten thus far. If you recommend it, though, I'm willing to give it a try. It really is beautiful.

Monet said...

I'm a huge fan of soup too...especially one that sounds and looks this tempting! I hope you have a wonderful evening and weekend my friend. Thank you for sharing another delicious recipe with me. Many blessings as the days unfold!

Peggy said...

This sounds like the perfect soup for the season! I wish I had a bowl in front of me right now =)

OysterCulture said...

Oh, this sounds just delicious. What a wonderful refreshing way to taste summer.

tasteofbeirut said...

I love this light soup especially this flavor that epitomizes summer!

Christine's Pantry said...

Sounds wonderful! Yum!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

What a great soup. I love soups too Claudia. I'm so glad to see leeks in the recipe. They are so underused in this country.
Sam

Pavithra Elangovan said...

Perfect soup and texture..love it totally :)

Anonymous said...

Sounds wonderfully smooth, creamy and delicious. A lovely summer soup!

Jeannie said...

Bet it's as delicious as you had described it to be! Beautiful the way you garnish with the bright flowers!

LaMagicaZucca said...

Beautiful blog!
I love your recipes and presentation of dishes.
I have added to your followers.
If you want, come and visit me, you're welcome

mike @ the culinary lens said...

So simple yet so good, a refreshing summer soup.

Unknown said...

Soup slut! lol, Claudia! This soup sounds delicious in every way. I love the presentation with the zucchini flowers on top--so pretty. And mint goes so well with zucchini!

Heather S-G said...

Soup-Sluts UNITE! This looks so creamy and delicious. Beautiful use for zukes and the flowers :D

MaryBeth said...

Soup Slut is good but I'm called by my husband soup whore...this looks very interesting to say the least, the color is wonderful!

Sonia said...

Hey, The soup is looking so Gud and Appetizing… !A very well made post with beautiful pictures.Have a wonderful week ahead. Thanks & Regards, Sonia !!!

Manu said...

Oh thanks for stopping by my site Claudia! So happy you did, as now I found your beautiful site! This zucchini and mint soup sounds delicious and refreshing: perfect for a warm summer evening! :-)

Maris (In Good Taste) said...

I love soup. Summer, winter, you name it.

FOODESSA said...

From on magazine interest clipper to another...well done on saving a yummy soup such as this one...how interesting ;o)

Flavourful wishes,
Claudia

Bo said...

I save old magazines too...I'm not really the biggest fan of cold soups...but they are perfect for summer.

Barbara GF said...

What a cool summer dish, Claudia. I still have a couple zucchini left and a few blossoms that would warrant making this refreshing soup.

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

A delicious soup! Refreshing.

Cheers,

Rosa