Zucchini Garden Chowder
A hearty zucchini garden chowder featuring tender vegetables, savory cheeses, and fresh herbs, perfect for a comforting meal that appeals to vegetable lovers and cheese enthusiasts alike.
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini, chopped ⓘ
- 1 medium onion, chopped ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley ⓘ
- 1 tsp. dried basil ⓘ
- 1/3 c. butter or margarine ⓘ
- 1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen corn ⓘ
- 1/3 c. all purpose flour ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 3 c. water ⓘ
- 3 chicken bouillon cubes ⓘ
- 1 tsp. lemon juice ⓘ
- 1 (14 1/2 oz.) can diced tomatoes, undrained ⓘ
- 1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk ⓘ
- 1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 2 c. (8 oz.) shredded Cheddar cheese ⓘ
- pinch of sugar (optional) ⓘ
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven or soup kettle over medium heat, sauté zucchini, onion, parsley, and basil in butter until vegetables are tender.
- Stir in flour, salt, and pepper.
- Gradually stir in water. Add bouillon cubes and lemon juice.
- Mix well and bring to a boil.
- Cook and stir for 2 minutes.
- Add diced tomatoes, evaporated milk, and corn; bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes or until corn is tender.
- Just before serving, stir in grated Parmesan and shredded Cheddar cheese until melted.
- Add sugar if desired and garnish with parsley.
Tips & Substitutions
For a heartier chowder, consider adding diced potatoes or carrots along with the zucchini. You can substitute the frozen corn with fresh corn when in season, or use canned corn if needed. If you want a creamier texture, replace some of the evaporated milk with heavy cream. Fresh herbs can enhance the flavor, so feel free to add thyme or oregano to suit your taste.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Zucchini Garden Chowder with crusty bread or a light salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Dottie'S Stuffed Bell Peppers for a colorful and nutritious dinner. Garnish with additional fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor. Consider offering a side of crackers or a fresh vegetable platter for a delightful contrast.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the chowder gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Avoid boiling to prevent curdling the milk. If it thickens too much, add a splash of water or milk to reach desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Zucchini Garden Chowder contains roughly 436 calories, with 17g protein, 71g carbohydrates, and 14g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (85% of the Daily Value), iron (40% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (40% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 533mg per serving (23% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this chowder vegetarian?
Yes, to make this chowder vegetarian, simply replace the chicken bouillon cubes with vegetable bouillon and ensure the butter is substituted with a plant-based alternative. This will maintain the soup's flavor while keeping it meat-free.
How can I make this chowder spicier?
To add some heat, consider incorporating diced jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the vegetables. You could also serve the chowder with a side of hot sauce, allowing each person to adjust the spice level to their liking.
Is there a way to make this chowder dairy-free?
Absolutely! To make the chowder dairy-free, substitute the evaporated milk with a non-dairy alternative like coconut milk or almond milk. Use a dairy-free cheese for the Parmesan and Cheddar to keep the dish creamy and flavorful without the dairy.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).