Garden Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

1 1?3 cups sliced carrots
1 cup diced onion
4 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups fat-free vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
3 cups diced green cabbage
1 cup green beans
2 large tomatoes, diced
4 stalks celery, diced
2 tablespoons low sodium tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried basil
2/3 teaspoon dried oregano
1 cup diced zucchini
pinch salt

Instructions:

  1. In large saucepan that has be sprayed with a nonstick cooking spray, saute the carrot, onion, garlic, and celery for about 5 minutes.
  2. Add broth.
  3. Add cabbage, beans, , tomato, basil, oregano, and tomato paste.
  4. Bring to a boil.
  5. Lower heat and simmer 20 minutes, or until beans are tender.
  6. Stir in zucchini and heat for 5 minutes more.
  7. Add just a pinch of salt before serving.
  8. Serve hot.
Serves 8.

I have been told this soup made with fresh green beans and vine ripened tomatoes can be wonderful for a Summer moon--or an all-day Pagan event.

Fresh summer vegetables from local source such as a road side stand or farmers market are delicious if you cannot grow your own.

Bit of History: In the USA between the mid-1960s and mid-1970s, a back-to-the-land movement, involved a substantial number of Americans moving from the cities to the more rural countryside for a “less congested”-- more “wholistic,” “natural,” “balanced” lifestyle—with several of these idealists planting to on a small-scale basis, either for themselves or for others.

These ideals tied in with the sustainable agriculture movement from the 1950s /60s.  It was also connected to the ecological or environmental movement of the 1960s/70s. Likewise, the ideals also tied into the natural food movement or health food trend of the 1970s, and the organic health foods of the 1980’s.

Not surprising.

Some people recalled stories of Victory Gardens for growing vegetables and fruits in the USA during World War II. Some twenty million Victory Gardens were planted by civilians during World War II. By 1943, these little plots produced 40% of all vegetables consumed in the USA. Civilians were encouraged to grow their own produce to supplement their rations. Through government educational booklets, many learned how to can and preserve so the harvests lasted all year.

Prior to that small gardens were an important source for food during the Great Depression (1929 – 1939). The ideal food garden produced fresh vegetables in season, plus plenty to be preserved for winter. According to my mother, many folks grew their own food to feed hungry mouths.

Even further back in 1917,  when the USA entered World War I, small gardens were critical.  During World War I (1914-1918), also known as “the Great War,”  President Woodrow Wilson, urged American to increase local food production and consumption by growing their own vegetables and fruits--thus freeing up food resources to help Europeans and American soldiers in need of food. Americans planted “war gardens” for national security. As Wilson said, “Food Will Win the War.”

June 2018

Practical Celebration Recipes and Preps
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