Very Fresh Vegetable Soup with Presto Pesto

By Rozanne Gold (from Eat Fresh Food: Awesome Recipes for Teen Chefs)

Every ingredient can be found in a farmers' market, except the broth (or you can make the soup with water.) During summer, use beefsteak tomatoes; in winter, a fourteen-ounce can of imported diced tomatoes will do nicely. A dollop of your own homemade pesto is a delicious super-fresh touch.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups diced re onion
• 2 cups diced butternut squash
• 1 cup diced fresh fennel
• 1 parsnip, peeled and diced
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
• 2 large ripe tomatoes
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 large zucchini, peeled and diced
• 5 cups firmly packed baby spinach, about 7 ounces

Directions

1. Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a 6-quart pot. Add the onions, butternut squash, fennel, parsnip, and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables begin to soften, about 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic and rosemary and cook for 2 more minutes.
2. If using fresh tomatoes, dice them into small pieces; if using canned tomatoes, drain them (and discard the liquid or save it for another use.)
3. Stir the tomatoes and broth into the pot and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium and cook 10 minutes. Stir in the zucchini, return the soup to a simmer and cook 10 minutes until the zucchini is tender. Remove from the heat and stir in the spinach until wilted; add salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot and dollop with pesto. Serves 8.

Presto Pesto

Ingredients

• 2 large bunches fresh basil
• ½ cup freshly grated parmesan
• 1 large clove garlic
• 6 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons toasted pine nut or sliced almonds

Directions

1. Remove the basil leaves from the stems to get 2 packed cups. Wash leaves and dry well.
2. Put in a food processor with the remaining ingredients. Process until just smooth. Add salt to taste. Makes about 1 cup

For more healthy recipes: by Rozanne Gold
EAT FRESH FOOD: Awesome Recipes for Teen Chefs (Bloomsbury)
LOW-CARB 1-2-3: The Low-Carb, Low Calorie Cookbook (Rodale)
HEALTHY 1-2-3: The Ultimate Three-Ingredient Cookbook (Stewart, Tabori & Chang) Jane Brody, New York Times, December 2009 "Eat Fresh Food"
www.rozannegold.com