Easy Tomato Zucchini Soup or Vegetable Sauce

courtesy of the Energy Center Fitness Club

Ingredients:
1 large zucchini chopped
1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
5 garlic cloves, chopped
1 fresh basil, packed down
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced (optional)
2 28-ounce cans diced tomatoes (use the lowest-sodium brand you can find)
½ cup water
1-½ cups tomato juice (organic or low-sodium V8)
Pepper, to taste
Frozen corn and fresh spinach (optional additions)

1. Place all ingredients except pepper, corn, and spinach in a soup pot and bring to a boil.
2. Lower heat, cover, and simmer for 1-1/2 hours.
3. Just at the end, add pepper to taste and stir in frozen corn and fresh spinach in any amounts you like. If you add all the vegetables, you have a wonderfully healthy soup – or a delicious topping for rice or pasta.