This is a delightful French summer vegetable soup that uses many of the July-August veggies for a flavorful, nutrition packed and colorful soup.

You’ll add a heaping tablespoon of the French version of pesto (pistou) to each bowl as you are ready to serve.

First make the Pistou:

• 1 large garlic clove,
• pinch of salt
• 2 cups of fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 small tomato (we suggest a roma or san marzano)
• 1 1/2 ounces grated parmesan cheese

Blend all ingredients in a food processor until it makes a pesto-like consistency. Set aside until serving time.

Soup ingredients: 

A wide variety of recipes exist. Some like to add dried beans such as cannellini beans or pasta to the dish. We like to focus on a purely vegetable soup, but check out a few recipes to adjust as your family likes.

• 8 cups vegetable stock
• 2 tsp fresh thyme
• 3 Tablespoons olive oil
• 2 medium onions, diced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 medium summer squash, diced
• 4-6 roma tomatoes, diced
• 1 cup green beans, cut into 1.5 inch pieces
• 1 cup small, heirloom purple potatoes or sweet potato minced
• 1/2 cup carrots, diced
• optional: 1 cup frozen peas
• optional pinch of salt

Dice all vegetables to roughly the same size and mince the garlic and thyme. Put the olive oil in a thick-bottomed soup pot. Saute the onions and garlic over medium heat until they become translucent (2-3 minutes), add the potatoes, and stir for another 2 minutes. Add the zucchini, squash, and carrots. Stir for another 2 minutes.

Add the vegetable stock and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Simmer for 15 minutes or until the potatoes and squash are fork tender. Add the green beans and tomatoes, and simmer for another 5-10 minutes. If using frozen peas, add them at this time, simmer for 1-2 minutes.

Ladle into bowls and top with a generous tablespoon or two of the pistou. Enjoy!

Lindsey Thompson is an East Asian Medicine Practitioner at the Thompson Family Acupuncture Clinic in Walla Walla, WA. She loves growing vegetables, raising chickens, and striving to get the most out of life. Practicing medicine and help people find ways to improve their health at home is one of the most fulfilling aspects of her career.