Vegetable Garden Soup | Sopa de Milpa

Vegetable Garden Soup

I am one of those people that have mixed feelings about Summer. The one side of Summer that I love are the farmer’s markets with all the fruits and vegetables you can enjoy during this season. But there is that other side that I am not very fond of, and that is the heat. You know, those days when the thermometer reaches above 90 degrees with lots of humidity.

When we have those hot days here in the East Coast, I keep myself indoors, or as my mom will say, “inside the fridge”, as if I were a ham that will spoil outside in the hot weather. But, I can’t complain; this year has been marvelous, let me say it again, marvelous. I am talking 60-65 degrees in the morning hours, feels more like spring. So far so good. But going back to the first reason of liking Summer, the many fruits, and vegetables available. You find all kinds of vegetables showing up all at once at the market and you are tempted to take them all home. So, here is a recipe for you to enjoy several times this summer in a bowl.

Sopa de Milpa, typical of the central states of Mexico, literally translates as Corn Field Soup. Milpa is the parcel of land where corn is grown in Mexico. Mesoamerica ethnic groups wanted to be self-sufficient regarding their food. They created this type of farming system called Milpa. Milpa in Nahuatl means “place for farming”. In one piece of land, they planted corn, beans, and peppers, altogether formed the milpa. The combination of Corn, beans, and peppers form a complete protein. Ideal for those days when you want a meatless meal.

Growing along the corn, beans, and peppers there are other vegetables like squash, tomatoes, and tomatillos. And in the rainy season, some other edible plants grow along the cornrows. These edible plants, besides rich in vitamins and minerals called “quelites” provide a good source of fiber. Some of these plants are purslane or lambs quarters.
Go to your local farmers market and enjoy the summer produce bounty while it lasts.

How to make Vegetable Garden Soup

JUMP TO FULL INSTRUCTIONS

DIRECTIONS:

• First, gather and prepare all your ingredients, this soup cooks quickly once you have everything ready. Roast the Poblano peppers over the flame, let them sweat inside a plastic bag or wrapped in a kitchen towel. Rub the peppers with your finger to remove the charred skins or use a kitchen towel to remove the skins,  make a slit lengthwise and discard the seeds. Pat dry and cut into strips or cubes. Have onion and garlic chopped? (Please check the ingredients list below)

• In a medium-size saucepan place, the corn, 2 cups of water and epazote leaves. Cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes.
• Add the squash or zucchini to the pot and cook for 5 minutes. By this time corn is almost ready.
• Pour corn and its cooking liquid into the pot with the zucchini and onion mix.

• Add the Poblano,  squash blossoms and chicken broth to the pot and cook for a couple of minutes.
  When all vegetables are almost done,  taste to season with salt.

Serve hot garnish with cheese and along some warm corn tortillas.

Buen provecho!
Mely Martinez

Other recipes with Poblano peppers: Creamy Poblano Pasta  & Rajas con Crema.

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