by Leah Bender
The hottest days of Summer have arrived here in Minnesota, and there’s nothing quite as refreshing or cooling as a bowl of Gazpacho. For the uninitiated, Gazpacho is a chilled soup that traditionally blends fresh tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers with onion, garlic, vinegar, and olive oil. While Gazpacho’s global popularity has spawned countless variations on this classic recipe, at its core, this soup is all about its refreshing quality.
Theories abound about the origins of Gazpacho. It has been traced back to the 8th century Islamic occupation of Spain, and even further back to the arrival of the ancient Romans circa 206 BC. The widely popular version of Gazpacho we know today is thought to have originated in the Andalusian region of Spain, sometime after Columbus brought tomatoes and chili peppers (amongst other things) back to Spain from the ‘New World’ in 1493.
Wherever it came from and whatever it’s made with, we happen to think that Gazpacho is the platonic ideal of soup under these hot and humid conditions. It’s cold, delicious, packed with nutrients, and typically naturally dairy and gluten-free! This summer we are offering three different kinds of Gazpacho, each made fresh every week:
Tomato Gazpacho
Inspired by the traditional Spanish recipe, Our Tomato Gazpacho is savory, peppery, and light on the palate. Serve it with assorted tapas, cured meats (e.g., jamon serrano), and Spanish cheeses like manchego. Top it with crunchy cucumbers, chopped almonds, cilantro or parsley, maybe even a drizzle of fruity olive oil. Go crazy.
Tomatillo Gazpacho
A great alternative for tomato haters, our Tomatillo Gazpacho is bright, zesty, and slightly herbaceous. It pairs wonderfully with olives, cornichons, or any kind of pickled vegetables on the side. Serve with sliced bread and top it with cheddar, diced jalapeno, and thinly sliced red onion.
Watermelon Gazpacho
Our Watermelon Gazpacho is as summery as it gets, pairing the juicy flavor of melon with the vegetal notes of beets and carrots. It is only lightly sweet and does not taste like a watermelon smoothie, we promise! Serve with a side of sliced baguette with salted butter, or a simple mixed salad featuring crunchy vegetables. Top with diced mint and crumbled feta or goat cheese.
Find quarts of our gazpacho in the refrigerators just inside our shop or order online HERE! And enjoy a weekend of hot sun and cold soup!