Gluten Free Tomato Basil Soup From The Westgate Farmer's Market

Kristen Palmer

Shopping the farmer's market is not only "green" it's gluten free!

Featured recipe:  Tomato Basil Soup (gluten free, vegan)

Shopping at the grocery store means being tempted by gluten filled old favorites and endless label reading.  Instead of weeding through foods that you can't have embrace a trip to the farmer'smarket where you have free reign over fresh, local food at a good price.

A local favorite is the Westgate farmer's market located in front of Elder Beerman on Secor Rd. in West Toledo.  This market is a bounty of locally grown fruits, herbs, and lots of vegetables opened every Wednesday from 4-7pm.  You'll find the classics like sweet corn and juicy tomatoes amongst extremely largest zuchinni, purple potatoes, Japanese eggplant, and a variety of hot peppers.  The quality is unbeatable so bring a wad of cash and a friend to carry your bags.

 Tomato Basil Soup  recipe by Kristen Palmer                                                                                               

4 servings

• 3-4 lbs fresh ripe tomatoes
• 1 pint grape tomatoes
• 1 14.5 oz can of organic low sodium tomatoes
• 1/2 c. minced sweet onion
• 3 cloves of minced garlic
• 1 T olive oil
• 1 T balsamic vinegar
• 1 handful + 1/2 handful fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 tsp chili pepper flakes
• salt and pepper

Set oven to broil and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.  Slice tomaotes (not the grape ones) into 1/4" thick slices and arrange on the lined baking sheet.  Sprinkle tomatoes with salt and pepper and place under the broiler.  Broil 6-8 minutes per side.  A little color is good but don't allow the tomatoes to burn.  Remove them from the oven and set aside when done.  While the tomatoes broil, minced garlic and onion.  Heat the olive oil in a medium-large pot over medium-high heat.  Add the onion, garlic, and chili flakes and reduce heat to medium-low.  Once they are fragrant and soft, add the grape tomatoes and balsamic vinegar.  Increase heat to medium-high and cook a few minutes until balsamic vinegar has reduced.  Now add the canned tomatoes, broiled tomatoes, and 1 handful of basil leaves.  Increase heat to high to bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.  Now it's tme to puree!  Remove pot from the stove and laddle 1/2 of the soup into a blender or food processor, add half of the remianing basil leaves, and blend until soup is smooth.  Pour pureed soup into a bowl or another pot and repeat process with remaining soup.  Stir in salt and pepper to taste.  You can serve this soup right away or at room temperature.  

While you're in the Westgate area you may also want to check out:

Caffeini's Coffee:  Perfect stop for a pre-shopping Latte and a gluten-fee cookie.  1471 Secor Rd. at   Campus Village Center

Fresh Market:  at Central Ave. and Secor you'll find nice fish, cheese, and other gourmet items to round out you farmer's market meal.

Bassett's:  On Secor across the street and north of the market, they offer supplements, beauty products, and a large variety of gluten free food items.

Calvino's Wine Store:  Calvino's restaurant has an ajoined wine shop that offers a very nice selection of wines from around the globe and in every price range.  The shop is in Cricket West at 3143 W. Central Ave.