Courgette Soups

• I was interested in why British English and American English have different names for a mini marrow.
• In Italian zucca is the name given to a squash and zucchini is the diminutive.
• In French courge is the name given to a squash and courgette is the diminutive.
• So the two words mean the same thing and one can speculate why one is used in Britain and the other in America.
• In Poland the word used is cukini – so comes from Italian – as do many vegetable names in Polish.
• Here are two simple but delicious soups, they start off the same and it is in the finishing that they are different.
• I think version 1 is more the style of soup served in Poland and version 2 more in England.

Ingredients – Version 1

• 2-3 courgettes
• 1 onion
• 1 litre vegetable stock
• 2-3 tablespoons of butter
• 2 tablespoons of soured cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped chives or flat-leaved parsley to serve

Method – Version 1

• Chop the onion into small pieces.
• Melt the butter and gently fry the onion in it till golden.
• Chop the courgette into small pieces and add to the onion.
• Add the vegetable stock and bring to the boil.
• Simmer gently until the courgettes are soft.
• Stir in the soured cream.
• Season to taste.
• Add chopped herbs when serving.

Meakin Midwinter – Spanish Garden – Soup Dish from the 1960s.

Ingredients – Version 2 – Cream of Courgette 

• 2-3 courgettes
• 1 onion
• 1 litre vegetable stock
• 2-3 tablespoons of butter
• 125ml of soured cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped chives or flat-leaved parsley to serve

Method – Version 2

• Chop the onion into small pieces.
• Melt the butter and gently fry the onion in it till golden.
• Chop the courgette into small pieces and add to the onion.
• Add the vegetable stock and bring to the boil.
• Simmer gently until the courgettes are soft.
• Remove the pan from the heat.
• Purée the soup – a stick blender is good for this.
• Bring back to the boil.
• Stir in the soured cream.
• Season to taste.
• Add chopped herbs when serving.