Green Garlic Soup
Springtime means it’s green garlic season! If you’ve never worked with green garlic, you are in for a treat!
Green garlic is just regular hardneck garlic that you are used to seeing - the only difference is that the ‘green’ version is harvested in the springtime while the leaves are still green and before the bulb is fully formed. Basically, it’s baby garlic!
This means green garlic has a very mild flavor that is less powerful and ‘garlick-y’ than the full-grown version. It lacks any of the harsh spiciness of hardneck garlic and has a very subtle, verdant, and aromatic flavor. Because green garlic is harvested while it is young, the entire plant - from bulb to tip of the stalk - is edible and delicious.
You can use green garlic anywhere you’d use regular garlic, but it especially shines in soups and salads, where the freshness and subtleties of the flavor can take center stage.
When some green garlic showed up in my CSA produce box this week, I was delighted and decided to combine it with asparagus and tender baby potatoes into a gorgeous green springtime soup!
You don’t need any special equipment to make this recipe - just an oven and a blender. So grab some green garlic next time you see it, and whip up some delicious green soup!
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Green Garlic Soup - Serves 4
Ingredients
2 bunches asparagus (about 30 spears), chopped into 1” pieces
3 medium size potatoes (red or yellow work best), chopped into 1” cubes
1 large green garlic (about 2” bulb diameter), thinly slice the white bulb and chop the greens.
1-2 C low-sodium vegetable stock
2 Tbs fresh thyme leaves, divided
Zest of 1 lemon
Avocado oil
High-quality extra virgin Olive oil
Optional: 1/2 C cream or your favorite dairy-free alternative
Directions
Toss potato cubes with 1TBS avocado oil, spread onto parchment paper-covered sheet pan in a single layer, add salt and pepper to taste.
Roast potatoes at 450 degrees for 15-20 mins or until the outside of potatoes are golden brown and the centers are soft and cooked through. Remove from the oven and set aside a few pieces for garnish.
Toss asparagus pieces with 1TBS avocado oil, spread onto parchment paper-covered sheet pan in a single layer, add pepper to taste (no salt - it tends to make asparagus slimy when added during cooking)
Roast asparagus at 450 degrees for 8-12 mins or until the spears are bright green and tender. Keep a close eye here - you don’t want to let these overcook or else they will turn brown and soggy and your soup will have a different flavor (and color!) Remove from heat and set aside a few pieces for garnish.
In a large skillet, heat 1TBS oil avocado on medium-high until oil starts to shimmer. Add the entire chopped green garlic (bulb and stems), salt + pepper, and sauté until white parts are tender and almost translucent. Remove from heat and set aside a few pieces for garnish.
To a blender add cooked potatoes, asparagus, garlic, 1TSP of the thyme, and 1C vegetable stock. Blend well - at this point you can add more stock slowly until you achieve the soup texture you like (more stock = thinner soup, less stock = thicker soup). If you prefer an even creamier soup, you can also add 1/2 cream or dairy-free cream to the mix, just add it before you add a second cup of the stock. I didn’t put any cream in mine and it turned out pretty creamy, so this is definitely something you can skip if you don’t have it on hand.
Blend all ingredients well until smooth and the texture is to your liking.
Pour into bowls, garnish with some of the garlic, potato, and asparagus pieces. Drizzle some of the high-quality olive oil over the top, sprinkle some lemon zest and thyme leaves, and enjoy with a piece of crusty bread and a big green salad.
ABOUT SCOTTSDALE INTEGRATIVE ACUPUNCTURE + SHELLEY O’DELL-BROCK, L.AC.
Scottsdale Integrative Acupuncture was created to help clients look and feel their best, naturally. Owner, Shelley O’Dell-Brock, LAc, offers a holistic approach to stress reduction, pain management, and natural beauty. She uses ancient solutions for modern healing, empowering her patients to take charge of their own health. Offering cosmetic acupuncture, Gua Sha, and essential acupuncture, Scottsdale I.A. is Scottsdale’s preferred choice for natural healthcare. Your holistic health journey begins, and continues at Scottsdale Integrative Acupuncture.
