Zucchini-Basil Soup
4-6 Servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Adopted from Serious Eats
This delicious, pesto-adjacent zucchini soup is perfect for a summer lunch or light dinner, comes together quickly, and can be served hot and cold.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons (30ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed and to serve
1 large leek, finely diced (about 8 ounces; 225 g)
3 medium ribs celery, finely diced (about 6 ounces; 170 g)
Kosher salt
3 medium cloves garlic, minced (about 3/4 ounce; 25 g)
1 1/2 pounds (700 g) zucchini, split lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch disks (see note)
2 cups packed fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped (about 2 ounces; 55 g), divided
5 cups (1.2L) water
Freshly ground black pepper
Fresh juice from 1 lemon, to taste
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan or saucier over medium heat until shimmering. Add leek and celery. Season with salt and cook, stirring, until vegetables are softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. If pan starts to look dry at any point, add a small splash of olive oil. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add zucchini and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add half of basil, stir to combine, and add water.
Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until zucchini is tender but still bright green, about 10 minutes. Add remaining half of basil and blend soup using a handheld immersion blender or a countertop blender until it is as rough or as smooth as you like it. Season to taste with salt, black pepper, and lemon juice and serve, drizzling with additional olive oil at the table.
NOTES: Use young, firm zucchini for this recipe; larger zucchini will be more watery. The soup can be served hot, but is also delicious chilled on a hot day. This is wonderful served with fresh sourdogh bread.
