Green Tomato Soup

By kathryns

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 oz thinly sliced Black Forest ham, chopped (1/2 cup)
• 1 1/2 cups thinly sliced scallions (from 1 bunch)
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic (2 cloves)
• 1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf
• 2 lb green unripe tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Garnish: sour cream (optional)

Preparation

Step 1

Heat oil in a 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook ham, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Add scallions, garlic, and bay leaf and cook, stirring occasionally, until scallions are tender and lightly browned, 6 to 8 minutes.

Add tomatoes, broth, water, salt, and pepper and simmer, partially covered, until tomatoes are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Discard bay leaf and season soup with salt and pepper.