Green Grape and Marcona Almond Gazpacho

• Recipe by Susan Spungen

Most people think tomato when they hear gazpacho, but there's no tomato in sight here. This version of Spain's classic white gazpacho features cucumber and green grapes, thickened with a few luscious marcona almonds to a silky creaminess.

Ingredients

1. 1 large garlic clove
2. 2 1/2 large seedless cucumbers, peeled and cut into 1-inch dice (5 cups), plus 1/4 cup finely diced peeled cucumber, for garnish
3. 1 1/4 cups whole green grapes, plus 1/4 cup diced grapes, for garnish
4. 3/4 cup marcona almonds
5. 3 cups crustless 1/2-inch dice of good white bread
6. 4 scallions, white and tender green parts, cut into 1-inch lengths
7. 1 cup packed watercress leaves
8. 1/2 cup cold water
9. 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
10. 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
11. Salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions

1. In a small saucepan of boiling water, cook the garlic clove for 10 minutes; drain.
2. In a blender, working in batches, puree the garlic with the 5 cups of diced cucumber, the 1 1/4 cups of whole green grapes, 1/2 cup of the almonds and the bread cubes, scallions, watercress, water, olive oil and sherry vinegar until very smooth. Transfer the soup to a large pitcher and season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.
3. To serve, chop the remaining 1/4 cup of almonds. Stir the gazpacho, then pour it into shallow bowls. Garnish the soups with the finely diced cucumber and grapes and the chopped almonds and serve.

Make Ahead

The gazpacho can be refrigerated overnight.

Notes

One Serving 441 Calories, 32 gm Total Fat, 3.5 gm Saturated Fat, 33 gm Carbohydrates, 6 gm Fiber.