Corn Soup with Roasted Poblanos and Zucchini Blossoms

The essence of sweet, just-picked summer corn. Serve it hot or cold. Prep and Cook Time: about 1 hour, plus at least 2 hours to chill if served cold. Notes: Trombetta zucchini is pale green and curvaceous. Queso fresco is a mild, Mexican-style cheese.

Total Time: 1 hour(s)
Yield: Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

• 3  large poblano chiles
• 10  ears freshly picked corn
• 2  tablespoons  olive oil
• 1  large yellow onion, chopped
• 1  to 2 serrano chiles, finely chopped
• About 2 tsp. sea salt
• 4  large garlic cloves, minced
• 1  Trombetta zucchini (see Notes; 7-in. piece) or 1 medium regular zucchini, seeded and cut into 1/4-in. dice (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 8  small zucchini blossoms, halved lengthwise
• 1  cup  Oregano Queso Fresco or store-bought queso fresco (see Notes) or mild feta cheese, crumbled

Preparation

1. Turn on broiler. Put poblanos on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet and roast 4 in. from heat, turning once, until blackened, 10 to 15 minutes total. Put poblanos in a bowl, cover, and let sit 30 minutes to loosen skins; then peel, stem, and seed. Cut poblanos into 1/2-in. dice and set aside.

2. Meanwhile, slice corn kernels from cobs. Heat olive oil in a large, wide pot over medium heat and add onion, serranos, and 2 tsp. salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and corn kernels and cook 3 minutes more.

3. Pour just enough water into pot to cover corn. Bring to a simmer, covered, and simmer 15 minutes.

4. Put diced zucchini in a small saucepan with just enough salted water to cover. Bring to a simmer and cook until tender-crisp, about 2 minutes. Drain.

5. In batches, whirl corn soup in a blender until very smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh colander into a bowl, mashing to press out liquid. (If too thick, add some water.) Season with salt. To serve the soup hot, return to pot and reheat gently (do not boil); to serve cold, chill at least 2 hours.

6. Divide among 8 bowls. Top each bowl with 2 tbsp. diced poblanos, 2 tbsp. diced zucchini, and 2 zucchini blossom halves. Sprinkle each with 1 tbsp. cheese and serve the extra on the side.

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

238 (34% from fat)

Protein:

9.2g

Fat:

8.9g (sat 3.2)

Carbohydrate:

36g

Fiber:

4.3g

Sodium:

695mg

Cholesterol:

17mg