Caldo Verde: A Hearty Portuguese Soup

Caldo Verde is a classic soup from Portugal that dates back to the 15th century. It features a rich and creamy potato base, tender collard greens, and smoky sausage. It’s a simple but satisfying one-pot meal that can be easily adapted to be vegan. You’ll love the cozy and comforting flavors of this soup!

What You’ll Need

• 1 pound of smoked cured sausage, such as linguiça, chorizo, kielbasa, or plant-based sausage, sliced into half-moons
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 6 cups of chicken stock or vegetable broth
• 2 pounds of yellow potatoes, such as Yukon gold, scrubbed and diced
• Salt to taste
• 1 bunch of collard greens, stems removed and leaves thinly sliced
• Good quality olive oil for drizzling

How To Make It

1. In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook the sausage until browned and crisp, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
2. In the same pot, add the onion and garlic and cook until soft, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes.
3. Add the stock, potatoes, and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.
4. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until mostly smooth. You can also use a regular blender, working in batches and being careful of the hot liquid.
5. Stir in half of the sausage and all of the collard greens. Simmer until the greens are wilted and bright green, about 10 minutes.
6. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the remaining sausage. Drizzle with some olive oil and enjoy with crusty bread.

Tips and Variations

• You can use any type of greens you like, such as kale or mustard greens. The traditional greens used in Portugal are couve galega, which are similar to collard greens.
• You can leave some chunks of potatoes in the soup for more texture if you prefer.
• You can also add some red pepper flakes or paprika for some spice if you like.
• To make this soup vegan, use vegetable broth and plant-based sausage. You can also add some nutritional yeast or vegan cheese for extra flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Soup

Caldo verde is a hearty and nourishing soup that is perfect for cold days or when you need some comfort food. It’s easy to make with simple ingredients that you may already have in your pantry. It’s also gluten-free and dairy-free, and can be made vegan with some simple swaps. It’s a delicious way to enjoy some Portuguese cuisine at home!