This chilled zucchini soup is filling AND creamy thanks to its secret ingredient

Chilled vegetable soup might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think "comfort food," but this bowl of creamy goodness dishes up just that. It's soothingly smooth, belly-filling and tasty in an easygoing, mellow way. On a blazing hot day this soup offers the cooling relief of a shady tree, and knowing how nourishing and healthful it is brings another layer of contentment.

It also happens to be an excellent way to use up what, by this time of year, is usually an overflow of zucchini from your garden or the market.

To make the soup, you start by softening onion and garlic in olive oil, followed by sliced zucchini and broth, then simmer until the vegetable is tender. (I am partial to chicken broth, but you can certainly use the vegetable version to make the soup vegetarian.) Next, you add what I suppose could be called the secret ingredient: a can of white beans.

Once blended in, you'd never know there were beans in the soup, and yet their contribution makes it thick and creamy. The beans also add protein, fiber and minerals that turn the soup into a meal-in-a-bowl. Simple, fresh seasonings - tarragon, lemon zest, and salt and pepper - give the soup a light, summery flavor.

The finished soup is chilled completely, and then blended until smooth with a cup of yogurt, which enhances the creamy texture as well as delivers a pleasant, gentle note of acidity.

The result is an elegant, nutrient-packed summer soup that is as satisfying as it is refreshing.

CHILLED CREAMY ZUCCHINI SOUP WITH TARRAGON

MAKES: 6 to 8 servings (about 12 cups)

Active time: 25 minutes | Total time: 35 minutes, plus at least 2 hours' cooling time

The secret ingredient blended into this soup, a can of white beans, makes it creamy, satisfying and turns it into a meal in a bowl. Seasoned with tarragon and lemon zest, enriched with yogurt for extra creaminess, and served chilled, it's an elegant, nutrient-packed summer course that is both filling and refreshing.

Make Ahead: The soup needs to be made and chilled at least 2 hours before serving.

Storage Notes: The soup can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 medium yellow onion (about 8 ounces), chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, sliced

• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt or table salt, plus more to taste

• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 3 pounds zucchini (6 medium) halved lengthwise and sliced across

• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth

• One (15-ounce) can no-salt-added great northern or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

• 2 tablespoons fresh tarragon leaves, plus more for garnish

• 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest, or more to taste

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (low-fat or whole)

DIRECTIONS

In a large pot over medium-low heat, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the onion, garlic, salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until just tender, about 2 minutes. Add the zucchini and broth, increase the heat to high and bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is very soft, about 10 minutes. Stir in the beans, tarragon and lemon zest, and remove from the heat.

Let the soup cool completely, then add the yogurt and, using an immersion blender (or a regular blender), puree until smooth. Taste, and season with additional salt, if desired. Transfer to a lidded container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until thoroughly chilled.

When ready to serve, ladle the soup into individual bowls and garnish each with a few tarragon leaves.

Nutrition Per serving (1 1/2 cups), based on 8 | Calories: 168; Total Fat: 7 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Cholesterol: 4 mg; Sodium: 349 mg; Carbohydrates: 18 g; Dietary Fiber: 5 g; Sugar: 3 g; Protein: 13 g

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