Last fall I shared a recipe for split pea soup. That’s one of my fall and winter favorites! But when the weather starts to warm up and spring produce becomes available, I like to switch things up by making fresh pea soup.
Fresh Pea Soup vs. Split Pea Soup
If you enjoy split pea soup and the flavor of peas in general, you’ll probably dig fresh pea soup. It’s a little different from what you’re used to though! Fresh pea soup tastes like (surprise!) fresh peas, or frozen peas, if you’ve never had them fresh. Whereas split pea soup has a naturally savory, almost smoky flavor, with a thick, hearty texture, fresh pea soup is smoother with a touch of sweetness. It’s very refreshing, and perfect for that time of year when fresh peas start to become available.
How to Make Fresh Pea Soup
Fresh pea soup is really easy to make, and it cooks up much quicker than split pea soup. Start by heating up some olive oil in a large pot. Add an onion and cook it for a few minutes to soften it up. Now add some garlic and cook everything for just a minute more. Stir in some vegetable broth, coconut milk, and fresh peas. Raise the heat and bring the soup to a boil. Now lower the heat and let it simmer until the peas are tender — just 7 minutes or so. Take the pot off of the burner and stir in some fresh herbs: parsley, mint, and scallions. Continue stirring until the herbs wilt.
Now it’s time to blend the soup! Normally I’m a big fan of immersion blenders, but with fresh pea soup I prefer a food processor, as chasing each individual pea down can get a bit tedious. Blend the soup until it’s smooth, then return it to the pot.
Thin the soup with some extra broth, if you’d like, and reheat it, if needed. Season it with some lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Ladle the soup into bowls and dig in!
Can this soup be made with frozen peas? I don’t see why not! I’d recommend thawing them first, and cutting the simmer time to just a minute or two, until they soften. Leftover storage: leftovers will keep in a sealed container in the fridge for about 3 days, or in the freezer for about 3 months. Does this soup taste like coconut? I don’t think so! If you hate the taste of coconut, try another non-dairy milk. Make sure it’s unsweetened and unflavored, and preferably has some fat it in, like soy milk. Is this soup gluten-free? It is!
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