Instructions: Rinse and pick over flageolets, discard cracked ones. Place flageolets in large saucepan; cover with 2 inches cold water. Slice one onion in half; add to pot. Add garlic head. Reserve 2 tablespoons marjoram leaves. Make cheesecloth sachet with remaining marjoram, bay leaf, and peppercorns, add to pot, and set over high heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until beans are tender, about 45 minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon salt 10 minutes before the beans finish cooking. Remove from heat, and let stand in liquid to cool. Drain the beans, reserve 1 cup liquid, and discard the onion, garlic, and marjoram.

Trace circle 2 inches around outside of core of each pattypan squash. Cut on diagonal to remove core in cone-shaped piece. Scoop squash with melon baller, cover with plastic, and refrigerate until needed.

Heat oil in stockpot over medium heat. Coarsely chop remaining onion; add to soup pot with garlic clove. Cook until translucent, 8 minutes. Thinly slice fennel and chop. Peel carrots and slice into 1/4-inch-thick circles. Add reserved marjoram leaves, fennel and carrots to the pot; cook, stirring, until just soft, about 15 minutes. Add stock and reserved cup bean liquid.

Cut potato into 1/2-inch pieces; blanch, peel and coarsely chop tomatoes. Add to the pot and simmer 10 minutes. Remove kernels from corn cob; add corn and flagelots and simmer until potatoes are tender and liquid is slightly stewy, about 5 minutes.

Quarter zucchini and cut into 1/3-inch-thick quarter-moons. Slice green beans into 1-inch pieces. Raise heat to high. Stir in zucchini and green beans. Cook about 2 minutes; remove from heat. Set pot in a bowl of ice water; stir, occasionally, until cold.

Make the Basil Puree: Combine basil, oil, and salt in a blender. Process until smooth; transfer to a glass jar. (makes 2/3 cup)

Remove pot from ice; adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Ladle into squash or bowls; add a spoonful of basil puree, or drizzle oil on each serving.

Makes 6 servings.

Cuisine: "Mexican"

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