Vegetable soup with meatballs (or without for fasting)

Vegetable Soup with Meatballs - A Recipe Rich in Memories and Flavor

Vegetable soup with meatballs is a dish that evokes warm childhood memories, especially when it comes to recipes cooked by mom. Adapting this recipe to please the little ones was a delightful challenge, and the result is a delicious, nutritious, and colorful soup. Additionally, the option to prepare the soup without meatballs makes it suitable for fasting days.

In this recipe, I will use a special ingredient: trahanas, a Greek paste made from coarsely ground wheat mixed with fermented milk. This adds a tangy note to the soup, enriching it with a unique flavor. If you don't have access to trahanas, don't worry! You can substitute it with fine noodles, and the soup will be just as delicious.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Servings: 4-6 servings

Ingredients for vegetable soup:
- 2 medium potatoes
- 1 carrot
- 2-3 celery stalks (with leaves)
- 1 handful of fine green beans
- 50 g trahanas (or fine noodles)
- 2-3 small zucchinis
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- ½ leek, finely sliced
- 1 bunch of lovage (fresh or frozen)
- Juice from 1-2 lemons (to taste)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 50 ml olive oil
- 2-3 tomatoes, diced

Ingredients for meatballs:
- 150 g ground beef
- 1 tablespoon rice (washed)
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- Salt, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ onion, grated

Step by step:

1. Preparing the ingredients
Start by peeling and chopping the vegetables. Dice the potatoes, carrot, celery, zucchini, and green beans into small cubes. This will help cook the vegetables evenly and make the soup more visually appealing.

2. Sautéing the onion
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until it becomes translucent. This is when the flavors begin to reveal themselves, and the soup will develop a tasty base.

3. Adding the tomatoes
Incorporate the diced tomatoes into the pot and stir well. Let them cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This step will intensify the soup's flavor.

4. Boiling the vegetables
Add all the chopped vegetables (potatoes, carrot, celery, zucchini, green beans) and pour in water (about 1.5 liters) into the pot. Season with salt and pepper, cover the pot, and let it simmer on low heat for 30-40 minutes. Covering will help retain the flavors and ensure even cooking of the vegetables.

5. Preparing the meatballs
Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix the ground beef, rice, oregano, salt, olive oil, and grated onion. Form small meatballs, being careful not to make them too large for even cooking.

6. Finishing the soup
Once the vegetables are cooked, add the trahanas (or noodles) to the pot and stir. Then, add the meatballs and let everything simmer for another 15 minutes. Make sure the heat is low, as the meatballs need adequate time to cook without falling apart.

7. Adding lovage and lemon juice
When the soup is ready, add the chopped lovage and lemon juice (to your taste) and stir well. This will give your soup a fresh flavor!

Serving suggestions
Vegetable soup with meatballs can be served hot, alongside a slice of fresh bread or crunchy croutons. A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a few fresh lovage leaves on top will add extra flavor and elegance.

Calories and nutritional benefits
This soup is not only delicious but also healthy! It is rich in vitamins and minerals from the vegetables, and the beef provides essential protein. Depending on the ingredients used, a serving of soup can contain approximately 200-250 calories. It can be an excellent option for a light yet nourishing meal throughout the day.

Possible variations
- Vegetarian soup: You can prepare it without meatballs and with more vegetables for a 100% vegetarian option.
- Spicy soup: If you like spicy food, you can add chili peppers or chili sauce.
- Soup with other types of meat: Instead of beef, you can use chicken or turkey.

Frequently asked questions
- Can the soup be frozen? Yes, the soup can be frozen, but it is recommended not to add the trahanas (or noodles) before freezing to prevent texture changes.
- Can I use other vegetables? Absolutely! You can add any vegetables you prefer, such as carrots, bell peppers, or pumpkin.
- Where can I buy trahanas? You can find trahanas in specialty Mediterranean stores or large supermarkets. If you can't find it, noodles are an excellent alternative.

This recipe for vegetable soup with meatballs is not just a dish, but a journey into childhood memories, an opportunity to gather the family around the table, and to savor a meal full of love and warmth. Try it and let the aromas and flavors take you back to those special moments! Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: 2 medium potatoes, 1 carrot, 2-3 celery stalks with their leaves, a handful of fine green beans, 50g of trahanas (depends on how thick you want the soup, I usually add more for consistency!), 2-3 small zucchini, 1 chopped onion, half a leek, lovage (I brought it with me from Romania and froze it because it’s not available here!), salt, juice of one lemon (or even two depending on your taste), pepper, 50ml olive oil, 2-3 tomatoes. For the meatballs: 150g ground beef, 1 tablespoon rice, a bit of oregano, 1 tablespoon olive oil, half an onion grated.

 Tags:  meatball soup