Freekeh Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

• 1 cup freekeh (cracked or whole)
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 medium kohlrabi, rind and tough outer membranes peeled off, diced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 8 cups vegetable or chicken broth, plus more if needed
• 2 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 Parmesan rind or 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast (optional)
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh za’atar or oregano
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more to taste
• Chopped fresh herbs (za’atar, parsley, chives or scallions), for garnish