Alphabet Vegetable Soup

We usually make this soup in the summertime when fresh zucchini, corn, green beans and tomatoes abound in the garden and farmer's markets.  But, we also love this in the winter time when your body is craving warmth and vegetables.  Particularly when we all have colds.  In the summer when I am really on top of things, we blanch the corn cobs and then cut them into freezer bags so we can enjoy that fresh taste all winter long.  You can do that with the green beans too (though Trader Joe's has a great bag of French green beans in the freezer section).  But, if you can't or haven't done that, feel free to grab a frozen bag of corn when it was preserved at its freshest peak.  My kids love to eat the vegetables along with all the fun words they can spell in each bite.  If you want a more adult version, this is pretty versatile and you can use orzo as well or any other small pasta. Serve this alongside the cheddar biscuits. Enjoy it!

Alphabet Vegetable Soup

4 ears corn (or 16oz bag frozen corn)

2 Tblsp olive oil

1 medium onion, small diced

coarse salt & pepper

32 oz chicken broth

2 medium zucchini, cut into fourths and thinly sliced

1 1/2 cups french green beans, ends removed & cut into 1" pieces (or frozen french green beans work great)

1 large tomato, diced saving juice (or 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice)

1 1/4 cups small alphabet pasta

If using fresh corn on the cob, husk each cob of corn. In a large bowl with a sharp knife, carefully slice downward to cut kernels off cob.  Discard cobs; set kernels aside. 

            In a 5 quart Dutch oven or pot, heat oil over medium heat.  Add diced onion and season with salt and pepper.  Cook, stirring frequently, until onion is translucent. 

            Add broth and 2 1/2 cups water; bring to a boil.  Add zucchini, green beans, corn (fresh or frozen), tomatoes with juice, and alphabet pasta.  Cook, uncovered, until pasta & green beans are tender, about 13 min.  Season with salt and pepper.  You may need to add a bit more chicken broth depending on how soupy you like your soup.

 This is a great freezer meal too.  Go ahead and put in freezer bags to store in freezer up to 3 months.  Before reheating, thaw in the refrigerator in a bowl.

Serves 6