1 ¼ lb/570 g (about 2-3 medium) zucchini or summer squash
½ cup cashews
3 bay leaves
handful of basil, plus more for garnishing
Instructions
Combine ¼ cup olive oil and the paprika in a small saucepan, bring to a slight shimmer over medium heat, whisking to combine. Once shimmering, turn off the heat and stir in the maple syrup. Let the oil sit and infuse while making the soup. The paprika will settle to the bottom, and you will be left with a beautiful, red oil.
Reserve ¼ cup of the raw corn kernels, set aside for now. Heat a large pot over medium heat, add enough olive oil to coat the bottom. Add the rest of the corn kernels, onion, and a pinch of salt. Saute until the onion is translucent and the corn is bright yellow, about 7 minutes. Add the garlic, thyme, and black pepper to taste, saute for 1 more minute, until fragrant. Add the wine, bring it up to a simmer and let reduce for 5 minutes. Add the reserved corn cobs (not kernels!), zucchini/summer squash, cashews, bay leaves, 6 cups of water, and more salt to taste. Increase the heat to high, cover the pot, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Remove and discard the corn cobs and bay leaves.
Transfer the contents of the pot to an upright blender, along with the basil, blend on high until smooth. You will likely need to do this in batches. Taste for salt and adjust if needed. Return the blended soup back to the pot. Serve the soup warm, garnished with the reserved raw corn kernels and basil, and drizzled with the paprika oil.
Recipe by Golubka Kitchen at https://golubkakitchen.com/corn-and-zucchini-bisque-with-paprika-oil/