Creamy Zucchini-Chickpea Soup with Spinach

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Canned chickpeas combined with tahini thicken this simple vegetable soup and give it a creamy consistency. The chickpeas also provide satisfying plant protein and combine with the veggies to add plenty of fiber, vitamins and minerals. Serve this easy dinner with baguette slices.

Creamy Zucchini-Chickpea Soup with Spinach
Credit: Carolyn Hodges, M.S., RDN
Active Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
6
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Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 large onion, sliced (2 cups)

  • 2 medium zucchini (1 pound), cut into 3/4-inch chunks (3 cups)

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 2 ¾ cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth

  • 1 (15 ounce) can no-salt-added chickpeas, rinsed

  • 6 cups baby spinach

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 1 tablespoon tahini

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

  • 6 tablespoons low-fat plain yogurt

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley and/or chives, for garnish

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add zucchini, garlic, cumin and bay leaf; cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add broth and chickpeas; bring to a simmer over high heat. Reduce heat to maintain a lively simmer and cook, covered, until the zucchini is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Discard the bay leaf. Add spinach and stir until it has wilted.

  2. In batches, puree the soup in a blender or food processor. (Use caution when blending hot liquids.) Return the soup to the pot. Add lemon juice, tahini, salt and pepper; whisk until the tahini is incorporated.

  3. Ladle the soup into bowls. Add a dollop of yogurt to each one and swirl it into the soup. Sprinkle with herbs, if desired.

To make ahead

Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw, if necessary, and reheat, adding a little water to achieve desired consistency, before serving.

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, May 2021

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

179 Calories
6g Fat
23g Carbs
10g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size 1 1/4 cups
Calories 179
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 23g 8%
Dietary Fiber 6g 21%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 10g 20%
Total Fat 6g 8%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 1mg 0%
Vitamin A 3812IU 76%
Sodium 211mg 9%
Potassium 490mg 10%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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