ln each year in Carrollton is one of my favorite fundraisers to attend all year. Not only do you get to taste a variety of soups, you return home with a nifty book of every receipt, hopefully a door prize, and maybe a little locally-made art.
This year, the event benefitted the Carroll County Society of the Preservation of Antiquities, and photographs of beautiful old homes in Carrollton were featured as centerpieces on each table. Five local artists – a potter, a painter, two photographers, and a cake designer – showed their talents, and I even took a couple pieces home for gifts.
Each year, as an additional way to raise funds, guests vote for their favorite soups, and this year, according to Carrollton Mayor Pam Lee, was the turnip green soup.
“By a landslide,” Lee said. “Followed by the Nacho Potato soup.”
I enjoyed every one of the soups, however, my favorite was the Sausage and Grits Chowder. I’ve never had a breakfast soup before, but it would be amazing on a blustery, winter morning.
Here are a few of the featured soup recipes. For the entire collection of this year’s recipes, cookbooks can be purchased from Carrollton Town Hall, located at 701 Lexington Street in Carrollton, for $2 each.
Turnip Green Soup
6 cans turnip green soup
3 cans Rotel tomatoes
3 quarts chicken broth
3 cans black-eyed peas
6 pound smoked sausage, sliced or diced
Put all ingredients in a slow cooker, cook on high for 3-4 hours.
Sausage and Grits Chowder
1 ½ cups quick grits
4 ½ cups water
3 pounds sausage
6 (10.75 ounce) cans cream of potato soup
3 (14.75 ounce) cans cream corn
9 cups of milk
3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
In a saucepan, bring water to a bowl. Stir in quick grits. Cover and reduced heat to low. Cook for five minutes until grits are done, stirring often. Brown sausage over medium-high heat in a four-to-five quart Dutch oven. Stir in cream of potato soup, cream corn, 8 cups of milk, and Cajun seasoning. Stir in cooked grits. If soup is too thick, add more milk. Simmer over low heat until heated through, approximately 10 minutes.
Cozy Pasta Parmesan Soup
8 tablespoons of butter
12-16 cloves of garlic, diced
3 quarts chicken broth
4 ½ cups ditalini pasta
1 ½ cups parmesan
Parsley for garnish
Salt and pepper to taste
In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat, stir until just slightly browned, and then toss in garlic. Cook for 30 seconds or so, just until aromatic, then add chicken broth and pasta. Bring to boil over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring every few minutes until pasta is al dente. Salt and pepper to taste. Stir in half the parmesan. Garnish with parsley and additional parmesan.
The Carroll County Society for the Preservation of Antiquities, also known as the Antiquities Society, works to preserve the county’s history through the Merrill Museum and the preservation of other buildings. The society owns the museum and the former Conservative newspaper office, and has a 99-year lease on the old Carroll County Jail. Funds raised go toward the ongoing upkeep and renovations of the tree historic buildings as well as other projects like the Christmas decorations at the Carrollton Courthouse and Merrill Museum.
Dues are $20 per person and $40 per family. Financial donations are always appreciated. Other annual fundraising events include the annual Pioneer Day Festival, which is held in conjunction with the Carrollton Pilgrimage each year.
For more information about membership or ongoing projects, write P.O. Box 541, Carrollton, MS 38917, or call 662-237-6910.
