It might be crazy but I’m planning for winter already. As mad and crazy as the veg seems at the moment and as much as everyone seems to be moaning about their courgette glut, I love it because it means I can get making and get storing. I’ve already got a dozen jars of courgette chutney done and I shall do another batch at the weekend. 

I feel a bit like a size 14 5ft4 squirrel, fluffing around making my nest and hoarding my nuts away for the chilly winter weather. 

I absolutely love soups so today I’ve made one with a big bad boy of a courgette who got a little bit bigger than he should when we were away at the weekend. I know people who throw them away when they get like that but really there is no need. Just get soup-ing! 

All my soups work off the same basic formula. Main ingredient plus potato to thicken, onion to sharpen, stock and salt and pepper to season. Then a spoon of something creamy to lift it up a notch. This can be applied to any vegetable soup. 

If you want to see this one written out as a proper recipe, it’s all here for you. I’m good like that 😉 

This is literally a five minute job. I’m always amazed when people ask me how to make soups. So here goes:

Veg into pot with stock. Boil until you can get a knife through the spud and it’s all cooked. I had half an elephant garlic left over from last night’s meal so that went in too.

  
Then I always blend my soups, I’ve never been one for lumps. 

Ladle into your blender and whizz for thirty seconds ish until smooth.

  
Pop back into your saucepan and add the cream/yoghurt and season well. 

For a courgette soup I add a handful of strong grated cheddar and a pinch of nutmeg too. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed. 

  
Serve straight away, allow to cool and keep for a few days in the fridge or pour into containers to freeze. I’m freezing several batches and find these elongated aluminium foil containers are just the right size for two portions. 

  
It’s so delicious and full of summer fresh flavours, I think I might just go and make another batch you know… 

Can’t think of anything more lovely to remind me of the summer sunshine and pottering in my veggie patch than to enjoy a bowl of this in the depths of winter. 

It’s September next week you know. Eek. X