Zucchini Soup with Curry Spices

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds zucchini, sliced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 (1 inch) piece fresh ginger, grated
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Sea salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 cup vegetable stock
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 4 cinnamon sticks (optional)

Directions

Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add zucchini, cover, and steam until slightly tender, 5 to 6 minutes.

Heat butter in a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir onion in the melted butter until tender and translucent, 5 to 10 minutes.

Mix grated ginger, cumin, coriander, mustard seeds, ground cinnamon, turmeric, cardamom, cayenne pepper, sea salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Mix spice mixture into onions until coated.

Mix zucchini into onion mixture; cook and stir until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour vegetable stock over zucchini mixture; stir well. Simmer until vegetables are tender, 8 to 10 minutes.

Pour zucchini mixture into a blender no more than half full. Cover and hold lid down; pulse a few times before leaving on to blend. Puree in batches until smooth.

Pour soup into 4 serving bowls; garnish each bowl with 1 tablespoon cilantro and 1 cinnamon stick.