This soup is one of our favorites on a cold day. And it’s SO EASY and QUICK to make. This Zuppa Toscana Soup recipe is low glycemic thanks to utilizing turnips in place of potatoes. Potatoes are a great option. However, if you are on a food-as-medicine diet trying to lower your A1c- swapping potatoes for turnips will probably lend you a better postprandial blood glucose reading. It also lends you a little wiggle room to add in a rustic Sourdough bread, if you are on a carb controlled meal plan.
Let’s dive right into how to make this! Its so easy!
Ingredients needed:
- 1lb Italian sausage (avoid ones with added sugar and nitrates)
- 6-8 slices bacon
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 5 medium sized turnips, peeled and chopped
- 1 bunch of curly kale (dinosaur kale does not work as well), thinly chopped
- 4 cups chicken bone broth
- 1 cup whipping cream
- Red pepper, salt, black pepper
Low Glycemic Zuppa Toscana Recipe
- Cook chopped bacon on medium to low heat
Add chopped bacon to large stock pot and brown on medium heat (about 5 minutes). Once the bacon is cooked, remove it with a slotted spoon and set aside. Leave drippings in the pot for next step.
- Brown Italian Sausage on medium to low heat
Add Italian sausage to the same large stock pot and brown on medium heat (about 7 minutes). Once the Italian sausage is cooked, remove it with a slotted spoon and set aside. Leave drippings in the pot for next step.
- Turn heat down to low and add finely chopped onion.
Allow onion to cook in the drippings for about 3 minutes or until slightly brown. Add additional fat if needed (butter works well).
- Add garlic and cook for one minute.
Continue to stir the garlic and onion to avoid burning.
- Add 4 cups chicken bone broth
Turn heat to medium high and allow to boil.
- Add chopped turnips
Once broth is boiling, add turnips and then turn the heat down so the soup is at a simmer. Cook about 10 minutes or until turnips are tender with a fork (cooking time will depend on how you chopped them).
- Add chopped kale and cooked Italian sausage
Add thinly chopped kale and cooked Italian sausage. Allow to cook at a low simmer until kale is wilted.
- Turn heat off and add heavy cream
Turn heat off and add 1 cup heavy cream. Keeping the heat too high can cause the cream to curdle. Avoid boiling after adding cream.
- Season to taste and garnish with bacon
Add salt, pepper, and red pepper to your preferred taste. Add cooked bacon as a garnish when serving. Enjoy!
Photo by: Jessica Isaacs Photography