Vegetarian-style Zucchini-Tomato Soup

Description
Love Zukes? Try this Zoup. Zowie!
 * Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group
 * Source: Newspaper Clipping
 * Serves 6

Ingredients

 * 2 medium onion, chopped
 * 3 cloves garlic, minced
 * 4 tbsp olive oil
 * 1 cup celery sliced
 * 1 cup fennel, sliced
 * 3 quarts vegetable stock (or water, use vegetable stock for a more flavorful soup)
 * 6 tomatoes
 * 1 bay leaf
 * 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
 * 1 tsp dill, chopped
 * 2 tbsp + 1 tbsp parsley, chopped
 * 3 cups zucchini, chopped in large pieces
 * 1 oz dry sherry
 * ½ cup cream
 * salt and pepper to taste

Directions

 * 1) Sauté onions and garlic in hot olive oil until onions collapse.
 * 2) Add celery and fennel; continue to sauté for 5 minutes.
 * 3) Add stock, tomatoes, bay leaf, basil, dill and parsley.
 * 4) Bring to a boil, and then lower to simmer.
 * 5) Simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
 * 6) Add zucchini, sherry, salt, and pepper.
 * 7) Continue to simmer for 30 minutes until zucchini is tender.
 * 8) Stir in cream right before serving.
 * 9) Top with chopped parsley.