Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Z = Zebras and Zucchini Soup

a-to-z-letters-z
Well, this is the end of the A to Z Challenge. I hope everyone has enjoyed it.

I couldn’t believe it when I found out some time last year that Zebra meat was now being sold in stzebraores, at least in South Africa. However, I suppose most any animal can be eaten and it seems similar to a horse. I have just discovered that there are several species of zebra, and I thought they were all the same. The stripes are as different as fingerprints, but each of the three species has similar markings. This is a lovely picture taken by the National Geographic photographers. They say that people are not quite sure why they have stripes but believe it might have something to do with camouflage. A predator would have difficulty focusing on one animal because their appearance is visually broken up, especially if they are running. Family units (especially Plains Zebras, the most numerous) tend to stick together although they might join up with a herd, safety in numbers after all. Lets face it, I get dizzy just looking at this photo.

I was going to use this recipe last month and then I woke up and thought it’s a Z for goodness sake, save it. So here it is from Cooking.com. I have never thought of making soup with zucchinis for some reason, this sounds pretty good and I enjoy cold soups in the summer. Vichysoisse being the classic of course.

Herbed Zucchini Soup

Source: © EatingWell MagazineZuchini Soup
4 servings, 1 1/4 cups each

This is one of the few soups that make the cut in summer. Serve it chilled to take the edge off a hot August night.

Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Serve chilled or reheat.
 
INGREDIENTS
3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 pounds zucchini (about 3 medium), cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon or dill or 1 teaspoon dried
3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese (3 ounces)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Tip: Hot liquids can splatter out of a blender when it's turned on. To avoid this, remove the center piece of the lid. Loosely cover the hole with a folded kitchen towel and turn the blender on. Better airflow will keep the contents from spewing all over the kitchen.

DIRECTIONS
Place broth, zucchini and tarragon (or dill) in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until the zucchini is tender, 7 to 10 minutes. Puree in a blender (see Tip), in batches if necessary, until smooth. Return the soup to the pan and heat over medium-high, slowly stirring in cheese until it is incorporated. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper. Serve hot or chilled.

Have a great day
Jo_thumb[2]

35 comments:

  1. Never been much of a Zucchini fan. I'll stick with the cucumbers. :)

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  2. Hi Jo .. love zebras as you'd guess from my days in southern Africa .. and zucchini, or courgette as I know them, are delicious and I use them quite often .... I'm sure this soup would be delicious...

    Cheers Hilary

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    1. They are a fascinating animal.

      In the south, when zucchinis are ready, one is advised not to leave car windows open as you are likely to return and find them full of zucchini. They are so prolific.

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  3. Several Kentish restaurants serve 'exotic' meat dishes, including Buffalo(Bison), Kangaroo, Crocodile and Zebra. David found the Zebra quite 'sweet' and slightly gamey.

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    1. I have tried gator which tasted like chicken LOL and emu which I also though tasted rather sweet. None of the others though.

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  4. Another use for those extra zucchini from the garden. And fewer calories than my chocolate zucchini bread. Thanks.

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    1. Yum, chocolate zucchini bread. That sounds good.

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  5. Congratulations on completing the A-Z challenge! I have so enjoyed all your informative and tasty posts. Looking forward to many more.
    Thanks again for the award!

    Patricia, Sugar & Spice & All Things ? Nice

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    1. Thanks Patricia, hope you will continue to enjoy them.

      You are very welcome.

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    1. I would if I were you. Think I might as well.

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  7. Congratulations in completing the A to Z Challenge.

    Yvonne
    A to Z AMBASSADOR.

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  8. I think I'll have pasta today or tomorrow, yummy.
    Hey, the zebra in that picture is smiling, must know the challenge is over! :D

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    1. I enjoy pasta, don't have it too often though. Didn't know dragons ate pasta.

      We all know its over and I can hear a lot of relieved sighs all round. Keeping up with the visiting is probably the most difficult. Dunno how Alex does it all the time even with his clones.

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  9. Zebras have always fascinated me. Thanks for the added info.

    And thank you for a great month of interesting topics and yummy recipes.

    Congrats on wrapping up your A to Z!

    Barbara
    Z is for Zzz-z-z... and an SOS
    The Daille-y News

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    1. Thank you Barbara for visiting - hope you will continue to visit me in the future.

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    2. Definitely!

      Barbara
      Z is for Zzz-z-z... and an SOS
      The Daille-y News

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  10. I love zucchini soup. I make one with a curry flavour that has me licking the bowl clean.

    Zebra meat? Not sure I'd try that..well may be just a taste.

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    1. That sounds delicious Laeli.

      Not sure whether I would either, but I have eaten, and enjoyed, horse meat, I am guessing it would be similar.

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  11. Zebra meat? Not sure I could do that one -- no definitely not!

    But zucchini soup -- oh yeah!

    Great posts!

    Thank you so much for visiting my blog and commenting daily. So appreciated! I will probably post a few more blogs on Margaret as I just got the book with all her articles -- the one's she wrote for the Journal when she was a reporter. (I ordered it almost 2 months age) It is so cool to read more of her work, she and I are not done! :)

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    1. As I said, I have enjoyed your blogs, I will enjoy the next ones I have no doubt.

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  12. I think the stripes create an optical illusion when the animals are moving, confusing the predators.

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    1. I would imagine you are right, like I said, looking at that picture made me dizzy.

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  13. I like zucchini when done right and this recipe sounds yummy!Congrats on finishing the AZ!
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  14. Congratulations on completion, Jo. I hope to cont visiting. I really want to try this soup. Im going to the market . I just have to pick up the z ingredient. Thanks!

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    1. Thanks Zoe. I hope you do stop by regularly.

      Think I'll wait til the fresh zucchini are out here.

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  15. Great challenge this year Jo and thanks for your visits and your kind comments.

    I'm thinking I'd very much enjoy the soup...the Zebra they can keep over in South Africa :)

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    1. I am somewhat of your opinion about the zebra.

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  16. I'm definitely trying the Zucchini soup! Love the Zabra picture - I never saw it being sold in stores while I lived in South Africa... Congratulations on finishing the Challenge - it was a pleasure reading your posts! Thanks for all your visits.

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    1. Thanks - I've never seen it on sale here either, and I kinda hope it won't be here.

      Thanks for dropping by to read my posts.

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  17. Cindy ... I love Zebras and I love Zucchini ...!!!! Never had neither as a soup.
    Congratulation to reaching the end too *smile

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    1. Who wants zebras in a soup!!! Sorry my blog didn't post it should be OK now though.

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