Courgette Soup

We have just 2 courgette plants but they keep producing huge courgettes at a rate we cannot possibly keep up with even though we try to eat at least one courgette a day. 

This recipe is adapted from Jamie Oilver (it is supposed to be a British recipe- but we have adapted it to what we can source in Italy) we have used good  parmesan, normal onions (instead of spring onions – try asking for these in an Italian summer!) and omitted the mint as fresh mint seems impossible to source in a hot Italian summer. We have found some mint growing wild in a ditch near our driveway and will try that if the shops continue to fail us. Ask for “menta fresca” and it is always “domani forse!” Until autumn….

Foodstuff you will need:  

1 large onions

1kg courgette

extra virgin olive oil

30g butter

1 lemon (rind – zested & squeeze rest for juice)

1.4 litres vegetable or chicken stock

5 table spoons of soured cream or natural yoghurt

200g Parmesan - grated

salt and pepper

Fresh mint  leaves (optional)

Equipment:

Large deep frying with lid

Food processor – for chopping

Liquidiser /soup blender

Ladle

Chopping board and sharp kitchen knife

Lemon zester & squeezer

How to throw it together

Slice onions and courgettes in a food processor

Melt the butter and a glug of oil in a large pan over a low heat.

Add the courgettes, onion, slat and pepper and zest of half the lemon. Add fresh mint  (if you have it)

Cook for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Keep heat low so you do not burn everything.

Pour in stock and bring mush to the boil.

Remove from heat and add soured cream, rest of lemon zest and parmesan cheese.

Pour into a blender / liquidizer (you will have to do this in batches) and blend until smooth

Add salt and pepper and lemon juice to taste. Add fresh mint  (if you have it) and a small amount of cream/yoghurt to give it a swirl on top

Serve immediately.

If you are saving it for a day or so, allow to cool before placing in fridge.

Delicious cold too. 

If you decide to reheat it do not let mixture boil as the cheese does not like it!