Description
A vibrant, hearty vegetable-forward chowder that bridges the gap between late-summer harvests and cozy autumn evenings. Highlighting sweet fresh corn and earthy russet potatoes in a silky base, this soup is finished with zucchini, yellow squash, and a hint of cayenne warmth.
Ingredients
- 5 ears fresh corn (cut off cob)
- 2 large russet potatoes (peeled, 1/4-inch cubes)
- 1 large zucchini, 1 large yellow squash (quartered and sliced)
- 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups half and half (or whole milk)
- 1/2 yellow onion (diced), 2 ribs celery (diced), 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 1/4 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley, 1/4 tsp dried thyme, 1/8 tsp cayenne
Instructions
Aromatics: Sauté onion and celery for 3 mins. Add corn kernels and cook 4 mins to develop sweetness. Add garlic and cook 1 min until fragrant.
Simmer: Pour in broth. Add potatoes, spices, and herbs. Simmer over medium heat for 10 mins.
Vegetables: Stir in zucchini and yellow squash. Cook 10–12 mins until potatoes are fork-tender.
Thicken: Transfer 2 cups of the soup to a blender. Puree until smooth and return to the pot. (Use caution with hot liquids!)
Finish: Stir in half and half. Remove from heat and let rest for 10 mins to meld flavors and thicken.
Notes
Blending Safety: When blending hot soup, remove the blender lid center and cover with a towel to allow steam to escape safely.
Potato Choice: Russets are mandatory here; their high starch content acts as the natural thickening agent during the partial puree step.
Fresh vs. Frozen: Fresh corn provides a ‘snap’ and sweetness that frozen corn cannot replicate. If using frozen, do not thaw before adding to the pot.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup / Chowder
- Method: Stovetop / Partial Puree
- Cuisine: American / Seasonal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 9
- Cholesterol: 30
Keywords: potato corn zucchini soup, summer corn chowder, healthy vegetable soup, creamy zucchini potato soup, fresh corn recipes