Zucchini Spinach Soup

Hello friends,

Had a wonderful weekend with lots of fun cooking. Neighborhood Pizza night in the alley, we were so creative with the 7 pizzas we made. Then yesterday I had some beef cappacio in the freezer that I was serving with garlic aioli, but needed something else. Discovered baby spinach, zucchini and potatoes all fresh from the CSA, found this non dairy delicious zucchini spinach recipe, my additions were fresh herbs from my garden, but not necessary to add if you don't have them. Some herbs you could use would be basil, oregano, thyme, sage, a little dried would be good too. I like to take advantage of using my fresh herbs while I have them. The cilantro however is not an addition, an ingredient that is needed and adds so much flavor. This soup could be eaten at room temp or chilled as well. Hard to eat hot soup if it's 100 degrees outside. Add a fruit platter and some crusty bread and you and a delicious, healthy summer time meal.

Ok, COOK ON............Love Elaine

Zucchini Spinach Soup

Ingredients Serves about 6

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 medium onions, roughly chopped
big pinch of salt
2 1/2 cups potatoes (2 medium) cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 1/2 cups zucchini (2 medium), loosely chopped
4 cups vegetable stock
4 cups fresh spinach leaves, loosely packed
1 cup cilantro, loosely chopped
one lemon

Directions

In a large, thick-bottomed pot over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. When the oil is hot (but not smoking) add the garlic and onions and saute for a few minutes along with pinch of salt - just until they soften up a bit. Stir in the potatoes and zucchini. Add the stock. Bring to a simmer and cook until potatoes are soft throughout, roughly 10-15 minutes.

Stir in the spinach, and wait for it to wilt, just ten seconds or so. Now stir in the cilantro. Puree with a hand blender until smooth. Whisk in a big squeeze of lemon juice. Now taste, and add more salt if needed. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and serve. (I used greek style yogurt)