It was a chilly 52 degrees this morning with a North wind at 20 mph! It was way too windy to work outside in the habitat garden, which is what I really wanted and needed to do, but the wind chased me back indoors after I pulled up the trash can.

This first real cool snap typically means it’s a “chili” day in north Louisiana and it’s a “gumbo” day in south Louisiana, but I’m not feeling it. Maybe this should be considered a Louisiana bayou recipe? Regardless, I’ve made it before, and it truly is as easy as opening cans. You don’t even add seasoning if you buy the already-seasoned canned ingredients. There’s plenty of salt in the smoked sausage, so no need for extra.

Now, why do I call it Food Desert Soup? Because when you live rural, like I do, the only nearby store would be the Dollar General (not meaning to advertise for them). If you’re lucky, you can find all/most of these canned goods there. If not, then your local grocery would certainly carry Margaret Holmes or some other brand of seasoned vegetables.

Personal Notes: The dollar store, as we call it locally, also carries one-pound packs of Eckrich smoked sausage. I buy the skinless turkey because of the granddaughters, but you may use your favorite, even andouille. Please note all the ingredients did not make it into the photo, but they ARE listed in the written recipe. As long as they are seasoned veggies, the brand does not matter. It would be quite difficult to mess up this recipe. However, I do not recommend purchasing the Glory Brand collards, because they include too much of the stem, which become too firm in the soup. Better to use two cans of seasoned mustard greens or mixed greens. Also, I cut the smoked sausage into quarters so that the smaller pieces mix better throughout the soup and easier for little children to eat.

Swamp Soup

Print Recipe

Super easy fall soup

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Servings: 8 or more

Author: Capt. Wendy

Ingredients

2 Lg can Seasoned turnip greens Any seasoned greens will work
1 Reg can Seasoned navy beans Any brand
1 Reg can Seasoned black-eyed peas Any brand
1 Reg can Seasoned okra and tomatoes Any brand
1 Reg can Rotel tomatoes I used original
1 Lb Smoked Sausage Use any brand you like
1 Reg can Chicken broth Or substitute 2 bouillon cubes in water or chicken seasoning powder as fit
4 Regular sized golden potatoes (optional) Or any you have on hand
2 Tbsp Avocado oil or olive oil

Instructions

Set soup pot on medium heat
Add oil to pot and lower heat
Slice smoked sausage length ways, then in half, then cut cross ways to quarter. (In photo, mine are only in half for time sake.)
Add to pot and raise heat to medium and brown lightly, stir and flip sausages.
Add the chicken broth and stir the "grot" off the bottom - brown specks in photo-adds to flavor.
Now add all the other cans and stir thoroughly.
Lower heat to simmer and set timer for 15 minutes while you peel and chop potatoes to desired size.
After 15 minutes, add the potatoes, continue to simmer until potatoes are cooked, about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Raise heat to medium to cook quicker but continue to stir so bottom doesn't burn.
Serve with corn bread, hot bread, or buttered crackers.