My Favorite Summer Soup!

When Jack was a toddler and he would try to say the word “using,” it always sounded like “losing.”

So, for example, when someone would ask where the phone was, instead of saying “Mama’s using it,” Jack would shout:

“MAMA’S LOSING IT.  MAMA’S LOSING IT.”

And because the truth is so funny, I would always burst into laughter. As a mother, I do feel like I am losing it sometimes! Losing my memory, for one.

Like, I used to remember measurements in recipes, and directions to my favorite spots. Not anymore. Now I’m lucky if I can remember to put on deodorant in the morning. (Don’t worry, when in doubt, I always reapply.)

Just this weekend it struck me that it’s been at least a year (or two?) since I’ve made one of my favorite soups. It’s a blended soup made with zucchini, spinach and basil, which may sound like a strange combination, but they’re just lovely together. Promise.

Perfect timing, too: With summer here, fresh zucchini and basil are plentiful in Texas, so this soup is definitely going back on our regular menu!

Here’s the recipe; hope you get a chance to try it :)

Blended Zucchini-Basil Soup

Serves 4 to 6 as a first course

There’s so much to love about this soup! For one thing, the ingredients (onion, garlic, zucchini, spinach, broth, and basil) are all affordable, accessible, and chock-full of vitamins. Even better: The finished product is — at once — light and delicious and warm and comforting. The best part? I think it’s the garnish … the finely ground toasted pecans, which add a rich, nutty flavor, plus extra protein and a satisfying crunch. You can add grated Parmesan cheese, too, for additional yumminess!

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

½ sweet yellow onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped

1 ¼ pound zucchini (about 5 medium zucchini), trimmed and chopped into chunks

1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste

3 cups packed baby spinach

3-4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth (or stock of choice)

1 cup packed fresh basil leaves

For Garnish

1 cup unsalted pecan halves

Shredded parmesan cheese, optional

Instructions:

In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook onion in oil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add chopped zucchini and 1 teaspoon salt. Add 3 cups broth or stock (save remaining 1 cup to add, if desired, after blending). Cover and simmer until zucchini is cooked through, about 10 minutes.

Add 3 cups baby spinach and cook until wilted, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes.

Add 1 cup basil leaves. Stir and continue to simmer, uncovered, about 5 minutes.

While soup is simmering, toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat, about 4 minutes, stirring often to prevent burning.

Place toasted pecans in small food processor. Process pecans until finely ground. Transfer to small serving bowl and set aside.

Remove soup pot from heat.

Using a large ladel, transfer half of the soup to the bowl of a large food processor or blender. (Be careful when moving and blending hot liquids!). Process soup until pureed and smooth. Transfer to a separate bowl. Repeat with second half of soup.

Transfer all soup back to the original pot for serving.

Taste soup for seasoning and texture. Season with additional salt as needed.  You can also add the remaining 1 cup veggie broth now if you prefer a thinner soup. Then serve soup, warm, in small bowls (or coffee cups!) with a sprinkle of ground pecans (and parmesan cheese, if desired) on top. Store left-over soup in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. During warmer months, soup can be served room-temperature or even chilled, like gazpacho.