Chilled Zucchini Soup With Crème Fraîche
- 5 or 6 medium fresh zucchini
- 2 tablespoons grapeseed or canola oil (Do not substitute olive oil- the onions may burn)
- 2 large Spanish onions, thinly sliced
- 6 cloves fresh garlic, peeled and crushed
- 1 cup good, dry white wine
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Creme fraiche (Try to use a fresh-tasting, local brand, or make your own)
- 1 handful of chopped chervil, basil, or cilantro (optional)
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut the zucchini into even rounds, about 1/2 inch thick, and place on the pans. Pop them in the oven dry- no seasonings and no oil- for about 10-15 minutes. Watch them; make sure they don't burn. You're just trying to remove some of the moisture and concentrate the flavor.
- In a large soup pot, heat the grapeseed or canola oil and the onions over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until caramelized- this may take up to 20 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt. If they seem to be browning too quickly, turn the heat down a tad bit. You don't want them to get to dark- only golden.
- Once the onions are soft and lightly browned, add your garlic and another pinch of salt. (Seasoning as you go helps build up flavor). Saute until garlic is soft, roughly 2-4 minutes. Add your white wine and deglaze the bottom of the pan by scraping up any fond from the surface. Let the wine reduce slightly, until it no longer tastes/smells of alcohol.
- Add the roasted zucchini to the pot and season with a bit more salt. Top everything with water or good-quality chicken stock (or a combination) by about 2 inches.
- Bring the soup to a gentle simmer, and cook for at least an hour. Let sit for another hour, off the heat, to allow to come down in temperature.
- Blend in batches in a blender on high (be careful). Taste and season with more salt and freshly ground black pepper. Return to the cooking pot and bring to a simmer, and cook for at least half an hour to slowly reduce. Refrigerate for at least 5-6 hours, preferably 24 for maximum flavor.
- To serve, ladle the cold soup into bowls and top each serving with a generous dollop of creme fraiche. Garnish with fresh chervil, basil, or cilantro, if preferred, and/or more freshly ground black pepper. Serve with toasted baguettes smeared with fresh chevre cheese.
zucchini, grapeseed, spanish onions, garlic, white wine, kosher salt, crueme, handful
Taken from food52.com/recipes/22743-chilled-zucchini-soup-with-creme-fraiche (may not work)