Award Winning Zucchini Soup

spreadnjoy's Note:

This is a family tradition when the zucchinis are ready. This soup has won first prize in our local county fair. It's not to strongly zucchini flavored, and has a fabulous italian flavor. I have NEVER found anyone who dislikes this soup, try it you'll see!!

• Total Time: 2 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 1/2-2 lbs sweet Italian sausage
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 2 (14 ounce) cans beef broth
• 1 -2 onion, chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 2 -3 thin sliced unpeeled zucchini (you'll have to eyeball this one, because zucchini come in so many sizes!)
• 2 fresh minced garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon chopped dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dry basil
• 1 teaspoon dry oregano
• 1 -2 cup water

Directions:

1. Fry sausage in a soup pan, drain
2. Add all other ingerdients except water.
3. Add water in a cup at a time, I add 2 cups, then if after cooking the soup looks a bit thick, I add more.
4. Reduce heat and allow the soup to simmer 2-3 hours, or until the zucchini is tender and transparent.
5. Serve with a yummy crusty Italian bread, or garlic bread!

Reviews

[Lucky in Bayview]

Yummy soup. I thought I would miss the addition of carrots and celery, but I didn't. I used spicy Italian sausage and gave it a good rinse after browning just to get a good bit of the fat removed. The soup turned out really flavorful. I think next time I'll double the zucchini and use half the amount of sausage. Thanks for sharing this simple, flexible and delicious recipe.

[JanuaryBride]

I thoroughly enjoyed this soup (for lunch) and DH will be surprised and delighted this evening at supper to find sausage in his soup. I didn't add any onions, then added some carrots, frozen spinach, and corn. I also added 2 tsp of Canadian Steak Seasoning (salt, pepper, onion, garlic, and much more). I am serving this tonight with some grilled flatbread. . .yummy! Thanks for a keeper.