Description
This creamy zucchini soup recipe is a comforting and delicious way to enjoy fresh summer zucchini. The soup is sautéed on the stovetop until tender, then blended to a silky smooth texture. Finished with a unique and playful garnish of popped popcorn and a drizzle of cream, this dish offers a perfect balance of flavors and an unexpected crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter and/or olive oil (any combination of the two)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed and roughly chopped
- 6 smallish zucchini (about 1 and 1/2 pounds), sliced into rounds
- 2 & 2/3 cups water
- 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Garnish
- Popped popcorn
- Cream or half and half, for drizzling
Instructions
- Heat the fat: Heat a 10-inch wide pot over medium heat and add the butter and/or olive oil. Wait until the fat is hot and shimmering.
- Sauté onions and garlic: Add the chopped onions and roughly chopped garlic to the pot. Take care not to chop garlic too fine to avoid burning. Sauté for approximately 5 minutes until onions are soft.
- Prepare zucchini: While onions sauté, slice the zucchini into rounds.
- Add zucchini to pot: Add the sliced zucchini to the pot with the onions and garlic.
- Sauté zucchini: Cook the zucchini for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes fork tender.
- Add liquids and seasoning: Pour in the water, chicken bouillon, kosher salt, garlic salt, and pepper. Stir well. This is a good moment to taste and enjoy a bite of zucchini if you like.
- Simmer: Let the mixture simmer gently for another 10 to 15 minutes until the zucchini is very soft.
- Blend the soup: Use an immersion blender directly in the pot or carefully transfer the hot soup to a blender (leaving the lid vented and covered with a towel) to puree until silky smooth. Blend in batches if necessary.
- Reheat if needed: Return the blended soup to medium heat to warm through if it has cooled.
- Garnish and serve: Ladle the soup into bowls, drizzle with cream or half and half, and garnish with popped popcorn for a fun and crunchy topping.
Notes
- The popcorn garnish adds a surprising but delightful crunch and fun presentation to the creamy soup.
- You can adjust the garlic salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken bouillon with a vegetable bouillon or broth.
- Use an immersion blender for easier blending directly in the pot and less clean-up.
- If you prefer a thinner soup, add additional water or broth until the desired consistency is reached.
