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America's Melting Pot
Victory Garden Soup hero image coming soon
1930-1945 - American home cooks growing Victory Garden produce during World War II.
A nourishing vegetable soup made from a mix of garden vegetables typical of American Victory Gardens during World War II. This soup reflects the era's emphasis on homegrown, economical, and nutrient-rich foods.
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Difficulty
Easy
Prep time
15 minutes
Cook time
1 hour
Total time
1 hour 15 minutes
Servings
6 servings
Region
Washington, D.C. home-front food campaigns and Victory Garden kitchens
Era introduced
1930-1945
Introduced by
American home cooks growing Victory Garden produce during World War II.
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Victory Gardens encouraged American families during WWII to grow vegetables to help alleviate food shortages. Soups composed of seasonal garden vegetables became a common, affordable meal for households supporting the war effort. This Victory Garden Soup combines staples such as potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, and green beans to create a filling and nutritious dish embodying the home-front spirit of self-reliance and frugality.
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