Here’s a dinner to celebrate summer. It’s a bright blend of summer zucchini, green beans and tomatoes. A little goat cheese mixed in at the end gives the soup a creamy texture. It’s a simple, vegetarian dinner that also tastes great the next day, so make extra if you like.
I use Roma tomatoes for the soup. They are firm and have more flesh and less juice than other types of tomatoes, giving the soup a thick, tomato texture. They are also called plum or Italian plum tomatoes.
Summer Vegetable Soup
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup sliced onion
1 cup sliced zucchini
2 crushed garlic cloves
1 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup sliced Roma tomatoes
2 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth
1 cup canned reduced-sodium diced tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 cup reduced-salt navy beans, rinsed and drained
Salt and freshly ground black peppercorns
1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and saute 2 minutes. Add the zucchini and garlic and continue to saute 2 minutes. Add the green beans, Roma tomatoes, vegetable broth, canned diced tomatoes and turmeric. Bring to a simmer and gently cook 15 minutes. Add the navy beans and continue to simmer 2 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Divide between 2 large soup bowls and spindle with goat cheese.
Yield 2 servings.