Zucchini Soup With Pumpernickel and Quark Toasts

Mom2Rose's Note:

(Zucchinisuppe und Pumpernickeltoast mit Kräuterquark) Source: Germanfoods.org "Pumpernickel makes delicious little toasted croutons which can be spread with green-herb-flavored quark (available from specialty stores) to float on top of soup or served alongside. The spinach leaves give this soup a fresh green color."

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 4-6

Yield: 4.0

• 2 ounces butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 3 large zucchini, trimmed and chopped
• 1 cup fresh spinach leaves, roughly chopped (optional)
• 5 cups chicken broth or 5 cups vegetable broth
• 6 ounces Quark (available from specialty stores, substitute whipped cream cheese if necessary)
• 3 slices pumpernickel bread
• fresh lemon juice
• 2 -3 tablespoons chopped mixed fresh herbs
• sea salt & freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan and sauté the onion, garlic and zucchini gently for about 10 minutes, stirring once or twice.
2. Do not let them brown.
3. Add the spinach and cook until wilted then pour in the broth.
4. Bring to the boil, season to taste then stir in and simmer, partially covered, for about 10 to 15 minutes.
5. Strain the vegetables and reserve the liquid.
6. Pass the vegetables through a food processor or blender, gradually adding back the liquid and adding 2 tablespoons of the quark.
7. Return the soup to the pan and set aside.
8. Either cut the pumpernickel into small rounds using a cookie cutter or leave whole.
9. Toast under a hot grill for 1 to 2 minutes until just crisp.
10. Remove, cut into quarters if not already cut into rounds, and allow to cool.
11. Whisk the herbs and some seasoning into the rest of the quark.
12. When ready to serve, spread the quark on the pumpernickel toasts.
13. Bring the soup to the boil and check the seasoning, adding a little lemon juice if you think it needs it.
14. Divide the soup between warmed bowls and top or serve with the pumpernickel toasts.

Reviews

[mersaydees]

This is so simple and mind boggling delicious that it's going into my best of 2009 cookbook! This has everything I look for in a recipe: simplicity, flavor, and elegance; this is worthy of company! I couldn't find quark, but when I do, I can't wait to try it again! I made it with plain cream cheese, although the fresh herbs added a lot to the finished product! I used recipe #135453 and recipe #368038, both of which I'm sure added to this great experience. Thanks, Mom2Rose! Made for Aussie New Zealand Recipe Swap #27.