BRAT CHERRY SOUP WITH ZUCCHINI
BRAT LIST. Raise a spoonful to your lips. Then come up-north for the real thing. Because the sensation is utterly transporting. And the memory will bring many smiles.
Michigan Cherry Brat: 1 lb. cut into bite pieces.
Or substitute any bratwurst or sausage. Then simply add some fresh or dried cherries
Yellow onion: 1 cup chopped
Celery: 1 cup chopped
Tomatoes: 1 small diced
Chicken Broth: 1 box
Italian Seasonings: 1 T
Basil: ½ tsp/fresh 3 T
Roasted Garlic Powder: ¼ tsp
Cilantro: ½ tsp/ fresh 3 T
Squirt of Lime
Zucchini: 2 cups diced
BRAT PREP
In a pot/ Dutch oven brown bratwurst on medium. Then add 1-2 T water as needed. Next add onion and celery. Then sauté till fragrant 3-5 minutes.
Now stir in the tomatoes, chicken broth, seasonings, lime, and zucchini. Then bring to a boil. Next simmer covered for 1 hour or until all is tender. Then let the soup rest for an hour or two before re-heating slowly.
*I buy my sausage fresh from the local butcher. If you are lucky enough to have a locally family owned meat market then I encourage you to buy from them! You’ll taste the difference.
BRAT NOTES
BRAT. Who brought the first one to America? No—I don’t mean your neighbors children…I mean the bratwurst. The word brat literally means meat without waste. And wurst pertains to its mixture. And since European climates are much cooler than ours, it likely made for better fixing. In fact, making sausage is preferred. And pork is the ideal meat of course.
HERE IN MICHIGAN WE KNOW HOW TO TREAT OUR BRATS.
As it goes, pigs, hogs, or swine need less grazing land. Which beef cattle always require. Therefore, most cultures make sausage in one form or another for that similar reason. However, Germany remains number one with over 40 different varieties to choose from.
Purposely many brats were made tiny. So small in fact, they could fit through a key-hole. Duly noting them: jail-bird jewels.
And so, for many countries around the globe meat generally makes the meal. Yet for others it’s only a stand-by. In America it maybe the beef. But in Europe its pork that tops the list. And bratwurst being the fun-fest way to entertain and create an informal atmosphere anytime of the year.
So, if the neighbor kids are bugging. Or hounding for a drink from the hose. Give them an Indian burn or two. Or just send them home with a giant noogie instead. Then find your flavor and try the latest trends in BRATS. Because there aren’t any penalties for being a cranky neighbor.
…but boy, if looks could kill!