Dieters Homemade Vegetable Soup

• 32 ounces of 1/3 less sodium organic chicken broth
• 8 ounces of no salt added tomato sauce (small can)
• 1 cup water
• 4 slices of thick hickory smoked bacon (I find Great Value brand is best)
• 3 -4 cloves garlic (miced)
• 4 whole bay leaves
• 1 large white onion (largely chopped)
• 2 stocks celery (diced)
• 2 large carrots (fresh, diced)
• 12 cup squash (fresh, diced)
• 12 cup zucchini (fresh, diced)
• 5 on the vine tomatoes (blanched, peeled, diced)
• garlic salt & pepper (I use garlic salt, its less sodium)
• seasoning salt (Optional but very good. Use Tony's)

1. Blanche, peel and dice your tomatoes.
2. The best way to do this is to bring a pot of water to a very close boil, but not boiling.
3. Make a thin 'X' with a serrated knife at the bottom of each tomato.
4. Take a large bowl and fill with ice water.
5. Drop a few at a time into the HOT water.
6. Let them sit no longer than a minute, you will start to see them peel.
7. Then drop into the cold bath for another minute.
8. The tomatoes should peel very easily.
9. Mix everything together in a large pot.
10. Garlic salt and pepper to taste.
11. I usually add a little then when its done.
12. salt to taste if needed.
13. Simmer for about an hour or until celery is soft.
14. Remove the bacon and serve it up.
15. *What I do when its done is like to turn off the stove and let sit for another 30 minutes to let the seasons marry.
16. **This recipe makes A LOT, I freeze half.

chicken broth, salt, water, bacon, bay leaves, white onion, celery, carrots, zucchini, tomatoes, garlic, salt

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/dieters-homemade-vegetable-soup-435546 (may not work)