Italian Sausage Zucchini Soup

Name: Italian Sausage Zucchini Soup
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 10 servings (3-1/4 quarts).
Ingredients: 1 package (19-1/2 ounces) hot or sweet Italian turkey sausage links, casings removed; 4 celery ribs, chopped; 1 medium onion, chopped; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon dried basil; 2 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes; 2 medium green peppers, chopped; 4 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) no-salt-added whole tomatoes, undrained, crushed; 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth; 1 teaspoon sugar

My mom used to make this recipe. Whenever I decide to make it, it reminds me of her, taking me back to days of my childhood. —Louise Kline, Fort Myers, Florida

Ingredients

1 package (19-1/2 ounces) hot or sweet Italian turkey sausage links, casings removed
4 celery ribs, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
2 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 medium green peppers, chopped
4 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) no-salt-added whole tomatoes, undrained, crushed
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon sugar

Directions

In a 6-qt. stockpot, cook and crumble sausage over medium-high heat until no longer pink, 5-7 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon.
Add celery, onion and seasonings to same pot; cook and stir until onion is tender, 4-6 minutes. Stir in sausage and remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until zucchini and peppers are tender, about 30 minutes. Freeze option: Freeze cooled soup in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/4 cups: 104 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 483mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 lean meat, 1 vegetable.

Originally published as Sausage Zucchini Soup in Healthy Cooking Annual Recipes 2017