Monday, June 23, 2014

Cold and Creamy Pea, Avocado, and Mint Buttermilk Soup

Cold and Creamy Pea, Avocado, and Mint Buttermilk Soup

A tangy refreshing chilled soup of garden fresh peas, avocado, and mint in a buttermilk base

Cold and Creamy Pea, Avocado, and Mint Buttermilk Soup | Farm Fresh Feasts

"This is my mom.  She has worms."
My daughter's scintillating introduction to her charges didn't dissuade me from my purpose--to share my worm bin with the young gardeners at our local historical society.  Some kids think it's cool, some kids think it's gross, but all kids learn a little bit about worm composting. The more folks--young and old--who are exposed to the myriad of ways we can decrease the amount of waste we create, the better.
I think early exposure to a variety of ideas and foods is important and can result in permanent behavior changes. After I shared my worms with the young gardeners I helped them in their plot. It reminded me of when my teens were in elementary school and I'd volunteer during class time, helping kids to plant, weed, and harvest vegetables.  Now, my daughter was in charge of the pea harvest--showing the kids how to snap off the peas without pulling up the whole vine. She also encouraged her charges to sample the harvest.

Cold and Creamy Pea, Avocado, and Mint Buttermilk Soup | Farm Fresh Feasts

When I harvest in my own garden I just eat peas straight off the vine. They need no accompaniment, to me, which is why I haven't shared a pea recipe before. Usually I start snacking on peas while driving home from picking up our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm share box, and I'll nibble a few here and there until they are all gone.

Cold and Creamy Pea, Avocado, and Mint Buttermilk Soup | Farm Fresh Feasts

However, I screwed up with the peas in the farm share recently which is why I created this soup. After nibbling on a bunch, I set the pint on the shelf in the fridge and the peas froze. Oops.  Not one to waste perfectly edible food that is the result of our farmers' hard work, I searched for a soup recipe combining what I had on hand (peas, mint, buttermilk) with what sounded good (avocado).

Cold and Creamy Pea, Avocado, and Mint Buttermilk Soup | Farm Fresh Feasts

If you don't like the taste of buttermilk [because your mom raised you to eat what was put in front of you and your friend's mom offered you a tall glass of buttermilk which you choked down--only to be given a second glass since you appeared to like it so much--my spouse's experience with buttermilk, not mine] I recommend trying this pea soup recipe.  Or this one.

Cold and Creamy Pea, Avocado, and Mint Buttermilk Soup | Farm Fresh Feasts

Creamy Pea, Avocado, and Mint Buttermilk Soup

1½ cups (12 ounces) buttermilk 
1½ cups sugar snap peas, ends snapped but otherwise complete with pods
1 avocado (pit and peel to compost)
¼ cup mint leaves
½ teaspoon salt (I use kosher) plus more to taste
optional--a teaspoon of lemon or lime juice and freshly ground pepper to taste

Place all ingredients in a blender and combine until smooth. Chill for 20 minutes to an hour before serving. Best eaten the same day, as the avocado will discolor the longer it sits.

Cold and Creamy Pea, Avocado, and Mint Buttermilk Soup | Farm Fresh Feasts

This post is shared with What's Cookin' Wednesday,  Clever Chicks Blog HopTasty TuesdaysFresh Foods Wednesday

10 comments:

  1. Very pretty but I think I'll try one of the none buttermilk varieties.

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    1. Tammy,
      Buttermilk, especially not included in a baked dish, is sure an acquired taste.
      Thanks!

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  2. So pretty! From the picture, it looks almost like a yogurt or smoothie consistency. I find myself very intrigued by this!

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    Replies
    1. Melissa,
      I did blend the snot out of this in the vitamix so it's an apt description. Thanks!

      Delete
  3. These pictures are tremendous. I love the little pea trendrils draped over the bowl. It's genius. I haven't gotten snap peas in my farm share yet, but I've picked them up at the market for two weeks running. I love them raw, maybe dipped in some hummus or fattoush dip but pretty much raw. Making a soup out of them was a stroke of genius or frisky fridge. I actually lost some green onions last week the same way. Next time, I'll defrost them and put them in soup. Thanks for the tip.

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    Replies
    1. Meghan,
      I'm happy to know I'm in good company with a frisky fridge. Excellent description--far better than operator error!
      The tendrils are courtesy our farmers, still connected to baby pea pods, but they looked so photogenic I opted to play Food Stylist for a change.
      Thanks!

      Delete
  4. OMG, your daughter is hilarious! Too bad I can't make your soup since my darling hubby hates peas....

    Incidentally, apparently my 1-year-old niece has decided she hates peas too - she threw a handful of them off her high chair tray a couple weeks ago, and almost sent my poor sister into labor when she had to bend down to pick them up! Fortunately the baby held off three more days till the scheduled c-section.

    I would eat this though. :)

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    Replies
    1. Julie,
      First off, congrats on being an Aunt again! Your description of my niece reminds me of my son and sweet potatoes. He smeared them everywhere but in his mouth. Poor child did not care for vegetables for nearly a decade. But now--he eats nearly all of them. Thanks!

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  5. This looks so beautiful! I love the green combination.

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    Replies
    1. Annemarie,
      Thank you! Our farm share has been abundantly green this summer, though I confess I'm looking forward to some red (tomatoes!)

      Delete