Italian Sausage-Zucchini Soup

One of our favorite Parker's soups is their Spicy Zucchini Soup. Joan found this recipe in one of her cookbook, Gooseberry Patch Co. the Harvest Table. Joan made this a tad less spicier that Parker's but for our taste it was A-OK.

1 lb. ground pork sausage
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
3 green peppers, chopped
10-3/4 oz. can tomato soup
1-1/4 c. water
32-oz. can crushed tomatoes
2 zucchini, peeled and diced
salt and pepper to taste
3 T. dried parsley
2 t. dried oregano
2 t. dried basil
Garnish: shredded or sliced provolone cheese

In a large soup pot over medium heat, sauté sausage with onion, garlic and green peppers until sausage is browned and vegetables are softened. Drain; add soup, water, tomatoes and zucchini. Season with salt and pepper; add herbs. Reduce heat to low. Simmer soup, uncovered for 2 to 3 hours, adding water if needed. Serve with shredded cheese or a slice of cheese to melt on top.

 Serves 6 to 8.