Make Ahead

Cold Curried Zucchini Soup

by:
August  2, 2009
4.5
6 Ratings
  • Serves 1 1/2 quarts
Author Notes

When I was first married I tried out a cold zucchini soup--it was delicious but both my husband and I felt it needed a kick and a crunch. Next time I added some curry for the kick and, for the crunch, some blanched, julienned zucchini (to each bowl before serving) --have never looked back... —Veronica

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 medium zucchini, julienned and blanched for 1 minute
  • 5 medium zucchini, coarsely chopped or sliced
  • 2 medium yellow onions, coarsely chopped
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1-2 tablespoons good curry powder
  • 1 quart homemade or organic chicken broth
  • 1 cup cream (light, medium heavy--your choice)
  • ground white pepper
  • salt to taste
Directions
  1. Over low heat, melt the butter in a large saucepan and add the chopped onions and chopped/sliced zucchini. Stir, then cover and let "sweat" for 5 minutes.
  2. Remove lid, add the curry powder and gently cook (while stirring to avoid scorching the curry powder) for about 2 minutes. Then slowly pour in the chicken broth, stirring as you go. Bring to a boil and then back down to a gentle simmer--simmer for a good 20 minutes or until the zucchini and onions are very soft, even mushy.
  3. Remove saucepan from the heat and let cool for about 20 minutes or much longer--no more cooking involved. If you're in a hurry, rest the saucepan in a big stainless steel bowl 1/3 full of ice and stir the zucchini/onion/broth until cool.
  4. Pour the mixture into a blender (not a food processor) and puree until absolutely smooth. Add the cream, blend to combine and refrigerate. Wait to do the final seasoning until serving time--curry, like garlic, intensifies when cold so let the soup rest a bit before adding more if you're so inclined!
  5. Have chilled serving bowls ready, taste soup to see if you want more curry or salt, grind in some white pepper. Ladle soup into each bowl and liberally garnish with that julienned, blanched other zucchini!

See what other Food52ers are saying.

1 Review

culturedpea August 9, 2012
I made this soup for a dinner party, but made it too late for it to be chilled. I served it hot and it was a huge success! The next time, I tried it cold, and felt that it was actually better served hot. I will be making this one again!