This zesty Caldo de Calabacitas con Salchichas(Zucchini and Sausage Soup) was inspired by a restaurant that Richard and I stumbled upon a few years ago. I loved it so much that I could not wait to try and recreate it at home. Of course you know I have to add my own twist to the recipe. I enjoy a hot, spicy soup, especially if it’s tomato based. Here is my version with a Mexican twist! Enjoy!
I
I like to garnish the soup with jack cheese and green onions, serve with any crusty bread. You could make this soup mild by substituting the jalapeno for green bell pepper and eliminating the crushed red pepper.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 pound hot Pork sausage can use chicken or turkey,chop links into 1 inch pieces
- 1 medium sweet onion diced
- 3 large cloves garlic minced
- 1 jalapeno minced
- 3 cups zucchini sliced in half moon shapes
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 3 cans 14.5 oz cans of stewed or fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground cumin seeds optional
- 1 teaspoon. Mexican oregano crushed
- 5 tsps. Knorr tomato/chicken bouillon
- 1 tsp. crushed red pepper
- Salt and fresh cracked pepper
- 5 cups water or low sodium chicken broth
Garnish
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese shredded
- Green onion thinly sliced
- Your favorite crusty bread
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil to medium/high heat. Add the sausage and cook until browned on all sides. Add the onions, jalapeno and celery, along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Add the stewed tomatoes, cumin, oregano, bouillon, crushed red pepper flakes, and water. Stir well to combine, when it comes to a boil, taste for salt, lower the heat, cover and cook for a good 45-50 minutes.
- Whisk in the cornstarch slurry during the last 20 minutes of cooking. Also add the zucchini. Stir, coverand finish cooking .
Notes
Tips~ To make the soup thicker, during the last 20 minutes of cooking time, I prepared a cornstarch slurry. 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 1/3 cup of water. Whisk until smooth.
Tried this recipe?Mention @pinaenlacocina or tag #pinaenlacocina!
Reader Interactions
Comments
Would Love to Hear From You
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Sorry, I’m clueless about what sausage links to use. I can’t imagine hot Italian sausage with cumin. Fennel seeds yes, cumin seeds no.
The sausage was delicious. I honestly wouldn’t share the recipe if I didn’t honestly enjoy it. You can use a different sausage if you prefer. They do sell turkey, chicken sausage or even some Mexican style chorizo that doesn’t crumble apart when cooked, more like links.