Squash Soup
Notes: Upo is a long, smooth, light green squash that resembles a short baseball bat. Look for it in Asian markets.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
In a food processor or with a knife, mince shrimp with onion. Mix with 2 tablespoons fish sauce and black pepper.
Step 2
2
Put shrimp mixture in a 5- to 6-quart pan. Stir over high heat until shrimp mixture is pink and crumbly, about 5 minutes.
Step 3
3
Then add 1 1/2 quarts of water to the shrimp mixture and bring to a boil over high heat.
Step 4
4
Meanwhile, pare upo with a vegetable peeler (trim zucchini ends, but don't peel). Then cut squash into matchstick-size sticks.
Step 5
5
Add squash to boiling shrimp broth. Cover and simmer gently until squash is tender to bite, 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 6
6
Ladle soup into bowls, sprinkle with cilantro, and season to taste with more fish sauce and white pepper. Serve hot or cool.
Ingredients
1/3 pound deveined shelled shrimp, rinsed and chopped
1 green onion, ends trimmed, chopped
About 3 tablespoons Asian fish sauce (nuoc mam or nam pla)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound upo or zucchini
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
White pepper