Share a Spoon - Garden Fresh Veggie Soup

 

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Share a Spoon
GARDEN FRESH

Images via Google Images

We have already been able to enjoy our garden this year.  Living in FL does have one advantage.  Only one, but at least all the heat and sunshine is good for something.  One of my FAVORITE things about a garden is the fresh squash and zucchini.  I don't know why I love it so much, but I can eat it raw, cooked, fried, steamed, whatever!  LOVE IT!
I make zucchini bread every summer.  Zucchini and tomatoes are a side that BDC and I LOVE!  I throw it in soups too!  That's what I thought I'd share today.  Soup.  Even in the middle of the summer heat, we eat soups.  We eat salad and soup here often.
Garden Fresh Vegetable Soup
1 lb ground pork1 sweet onion3 ribs celery3  medium carrots2 medium zucchini1 clove grated garlic2 28oz cans San Marzano tomatoes1 Tblspoon Fennel Seeds1 tsp fresh thyme chopped1 tsp fresh oregano chopped1 large bunch flat leaf parsley chopped (probably 2Tbsps)2 cups Small pasta noodle of your choiceolive oilsalt and pepper
In a large soup pot over medium high heat, add olive oil.  Twice around the pan.
Brown the ground pork.  (You can substitute Italian sausage here if you like, or ground turkey.)  Season with salt and pepper and the fennel seeds, oregano, and thyme.  (if you use sausage omit the fennel seeds)
Chop all your veggies and season with salt n' pepper.  Add the onions, celery and carrots to the soup pot.
Allow them to soften. (3-5 minutes)  Add the zucchini and grated garlic and cook for another 3-5 minutes.
Add the tomatoes to the pot.  I crushed them in my hand as I add them to the pot, but you can blitz them in a food processor if you like.  Fill each can half full with water and add to soup.
Bring the soup to a boil and lower the heat to simmer.  Allow to simmer for 20 minutes.  Add the pasta cook until softened (about 7 minutes).  (I use a small penne.)
Stir in flat leaf parsley and serve.
Alright Smackers, time to share your favorite garden fresh meals!  Let me know what you need recipes for, what themes you would like to see.