Isn’t this watercress and cucumber soup absolutely gorgeous?
I originally made this soup to serve on St Patrick’s day but it will delight family and friends any day, especially in summer when you are craving lighter fares.
And it is just as delicious as it looks!
This watercress and cucumber soup is a raw soup made with cucumber, watercress, zucchini, avocado and cilantro. It is easy on the palette and delightfully refreshing. It’s a wonderful way to start your meal or enjoy on it’s own. Perfect at the end of a fast day as well!
Watercress is a wonderful nutritious herb with a slightly peppery taste that is complemented beautifully by the cucumber. The avocado adds a little body and wonderfully creamy texture.
I made the soup with water to keep the flavor profile pure but you can use a vegetable broth instead for added nutrition and a little boost of flavor. Just know that the ingredients in your vegetable broth will impact the flavor of this soup to some degree.
Since this is a raw soup it takes only minutes to make and is best enjoyed chilled within an hour or so of being made.
It is loaded with nutrients and a delicious way to break your fast or end a cleanse.
You’ll want to press this watercress and cucumber soup through a cheesecloth or sieve to remove the cucumber and zucchini seeds for a smooth finish. The finer the sieve the smoother your broth. If you don’t have either of these on hand no worry. I ended up improvising using a strainer lined with a couple layers of tule and it worked beautifully 🙂
Enjoy!
Watercress and Cucumber Soup
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- juice of 1/2 lime about 2 tbsp
- 2 English cucumbers about 4 cups cubed
- 1 large zucchini (about 1.5 cups cubed)
- 1 1/2 bunches watercress stems removed (about 1 1/2 cups packed)
- one generous handful fresh cilantro
- 1 large ripe avocado mashed
- 3/4 salt
- Fresh ground pepper to taste
- watercress and cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Cube cucumber and zucchini and place in blender with 1 1/2 cups of watercress, fresh cilantro, water, lime juice and salt.
- Blend until a smooth purée is obtained.
- Press purée through a couple layers of cheesecloth or sieve to remove seeds and get a beautiful vibrant green broth.
- Return to blender.
- Mash avocado with a fork and add to broth.
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour into glass bowl and chill for half an hour to 1 hour.
- Garnish with fresh cracked pepper and a sprinkle of watercress and cilantro leaves
It’s a beautiful color. But oh my it is so… green! LOL! I have been promising myself to eat more vegetables and promote a healthier lifestyle, so I have to practice what I preach. Thank you for the recipe. 🙂
You are most welcome Clojo. It is quite green indeed but I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how refreshing and tasty it is. 🙂
Interesting! It is very green! ?
Haha yes, green it is Lena.. That’s the appeal for me 😉
Looks very healthy and yummy!
Thanks Veronica. It’s quite refreshing and gives you a nice boost of clean, lasting energy 🙂
I think I’d leave the seeds in for a bit of bite!
That’s an interesting idea Kate. I might have to try it that way. It would certainly simplify the prep 🙂
Oh my that is intense that soup. I don’t know if I would be able to try it out or not but I know my husband would be willing to try it out he tries everything.
Your husband sounds like mine Tara. He tries everything!
I would love to make this.
Awesome Laurie, Enjoy!
Not sure if I’d eat it,but its so pretty 🙂
Haha April, I love your honesty 🙂 It’s super green but it’s super tasty too!
I want to make this!! A must!! Sounds delicious!! Thanks for sharing!!
You are most welcome Jessica. Enjoy!
You make it sound so delicious that I am going to try it :)Thank you
Woohoo I love that Judy! You’re going to love this soup 🙂
Perfect delight to celebrate st Patricks Day
Healthy and I bet it tastes great too
It received a thumbs up from everyone in my family Margaret and I hope yours too.
Would have been a great appetizer for St. Patrick’s day! It sounds intersting.
The watercress is what makes it so enticing to me Barrie… It has such a unique flavor.. quite refreshing so perfect on a warm spring or summer day.
Looks healthy but to green.
It is quite green indeed Nancy, never too green for me though 🙂
Great way to use up those excess garden cucumbers. Will have to try this for sure
I love cucumbers Richard. I find them so refreshing!
Umm delicious, gonna try
Enjoy!
I’ve had cold cucumber soup before but this has a lot more in it. Thanks for sharing.
You are most welcome Sherry. Enjoy!
Need to make these immediately! My mouth is watering!
🙂 Enjoy Cateraar!
I have never try cold soup before
I wonder how it would taste like.. I can’t wait to try this out
I love cold soup on a hot summer day Seem, it’s soooo refreshing! This particular soup is so rich in nutrients but gentle in flavor and quite satisfying. Enjoy!
i love soups so i will try this one soon.thanks
I love soup as well Eirini 🙂 And this one is perfect on a hot summer day. Enjoy!
This sounds cool and refreshing.
It’s a delightful soup on a hot summer day Terry, and wonderfully satisfying 🙂
I’ve never made a raw soup but feel like this one sounds so refreshing.
It’s so refreshing on a hot summer day Katie and so full of nutrients that give you really clean energy. Let me know how you like it 🙂
This soup sounds delicious, perfect for cold winter day. Thank you for sharing.
You are most welcome Kimberly. I personally make this soup in summer when I love simple, light meals but it would be a great natural defense booster during those cold winter days 🙂