Tomato, Peach, and Hyssop Soup

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Servings:
8

Hyssop, a member of the mint family with a subtle anise flavor, invigorates this chilled, sweet soup made with pureed heirloom tomatoes and ripe peaches. Serve it as a refreshing first course on a sweltering hot day.

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds red and yellow tomatoes, preferably heirloom, coarsely chopped (about 6 cups)

  • 2 pounds peaches (about 8 peaches), halved and pitted, plus 2 peaches, cut into ¼-inch slices, for serving

  • 1 cup hyssop leaves, plus more leaves and flowers for garnish

  • Coarse salt

  • 1 pound small tomatoes, such as cherry, pear, or heirloom, halved

Directions

  1. Toss together chopped tomatoes, the halved peaches, and the hyssop in a large bowl. Transfer tomato mixture to a food processor. Process mixture in batches until smooth. Transfer to a large nonreactive bowl. Stir in 1 1/2 tablespoons salt.

  2. Drape a large piece of cheesecloth over another large bowl; pour tomato mixture onto cheesecloth. Gather corners of cheesecloth to enclose mixture, and tie corners around the handle of a long wooden spoon. Let bundle hang from the top shelf of the refrigerator over a large bowl so that liquid drips into bowl, at least 6 hours (or overnight). Discard solids in cheesecloth. Soup can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 3 days, or frozen up to 1 month.

  3. Divide the halved tomatoes and sliced peaches among serving bowls. Add 1 cup chilled soup to each bowl. Garnish with hyssop leaves and flowers. Sprinkle with salt.

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