Creamy Zucchini Chickpea Soup with Spinach
Canned chickpeas combined with tahini thicken this simple vegetable soup and give it a creamy consistency. The chickpeas also provide satisfying plant protein and combine with the veggies to add plenty of fiber, vitamins and minerals. Serve this easy dinner with baguette slices.
Canned chickpeas combined with tahini thicken this simple vegetable soup and give it a creamy consistency. The chickpeas also provide satisfying plant protein and combine with the veggies to add plenty of fiber, vitamins and minerals. Serve this easy dinner with baguette slices.
Ingredients
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 large onion, sliced (2 cups)
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2 medium zucchini (1 pound), cut into 3/4-inch chunks (3 cups)
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tablespoon ground cumin
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1 bay leaf
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2 ¾ cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
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1 (15 ounce) can no-salt-added chickpeas, rinsed
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6 cups baby spinach
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2 tablespoons lemon juice
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1 tablespoon tahini
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¼ teaspoon salt
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¼ teaspoon ground pepper
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6 tablespoons low-fat plain yogurt
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1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley and/or chives, for garnish
Method
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Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add zucchini, garlic, cumin and bay leaf; cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add broth and chickpeas; bring to a simmer over high heat. Reduce heat to maintain a lively simmer and cook, covered, until the zucchini is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Discard the bay leaf. Add spinach and stir until it has wilted.
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In batches, puree the soup in a blender or food processor. (Use caution when blending hot liquids.) Return the soup to the pot. Add lemon juice, tahini, salt and pepper; whisk until the tahini is incorporated.
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Ladle the soup into bowls. Add a dollop of yogurt to each one and swirl it into the soup. Sprinkle with herbs, if desired.
