GAZPACHO SOUP & SOUND RECIPE

I have to confess that I was never a fan of gazpacho because I don’t like cucumbers. And raw tomatoes aren’t a big draw for me unless they are right off the bush. But when I substituted ripe peaches for the cucumbers that changed everything. I love this soup.

This is a fabulous, fresh, healthy, vegan, cold soup from Catalunya. Perfect for hot, humid summers.

Since this is uncooked and barely seasoned, the key to elevating gazpacho to something special is to use the freshest, most flavorful ingredients. Also make it well in advance so you can chill it before serving.

This recipe is a guide—as with bebop, to get really good at it, practice, experiment with your own ingredients and portions, i.e. improvise. Unlike bebop, you may achieve supremely satisfying results on your first attempt.

This recipe makes about 1 full pot (about a gallon and a half)

Ingredients

10 or more large, ripe tomatoes—home grown of your bush, or heirloom, are the best of course. Don’t even bother with those grapefruit-size, pink, factory farmed things they call “tomatoes” in grocery stores around much of the US.

5 ripe peaches

2-4 jalapeño peppers (fresh, not pickled, if you are wondering)

1 large red onion

5 cloves garlic, at least

6 T very good olive oil

salt to taste (I probably start with about 1.5 tsp)

a little water to help the blender (chilled if possible)

Traditionally gazpacho uses cucumber instead of the fruit. I’m not a big cucumber fan so I tried substituting peaches, mangoes, etc. and I love it. So this is the way I make it. Of course you can make it any way you like.

Options

  • add a splash of wine or sherry vinegar

  • green or red pepper

  • instead of peaches substitute mango, apple, watermelon, citrus, cherries, berries…

  • blend it with ice

  • black pepper

Garnishes

  • hard boiled egg slices are a tradition though not with me particularly,

  • black olives

  • mint or parsley leaves

  • small pieces of any of the ingredients

Instructions

Cut the ingredients into chunks and blend. Pour it all into a pot and stir. Taste and adjust as you like. Refrigerate until you serve it. Enjoy!

 
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