Roasted butternut squash soup with toasted pumpkin seeds
I had a butternut squash languishing on my countertop for a couple of weeks before I decided I wanted to make a soup out of it. Homemade butternut squash soup tastes听so much better than the bisque you can buy in stores. I had brought home a carton of butternut bisque soup earlier this fall and I really had to work to finish it off. It simply tasted bland and I almost convinced myself that I didn鈥檛 like butternut squash soup.
But then I rediscovered听this recipe in 鈥溾�� by Janet Fletcher. I had a copy on my bookshelf. I have shared a recipe for听 before, inspired by her recipe, but when I compared my 2010 creation听with hers I saw that they were quite different. This recipe includes the heat from chilis, which gives the soup a nice kick on a cold night.
I happened to have some roasted and salted pumpkin seeds in the cupboard. And instead of chili powder, I used a teaspoon of jalape帽o pepper sauce I had on hand. I think you could substitute whatever heat seasoning you prefer. Just be sure to taste it as you go!
Janet鈥檚 method for roasting the squash is really easy 鈥� the roasted flesh comes out of the protective skin with no struggle. Just be sure to let it cool a bit after you remove it from the oven to protect your fingers.
Roasted butternut squash that has been pureed yields听a lovely pillowy texture. I used an immersion blender and kept everything in the same pot. I gave a bowl to a friend who swallowed听one spoonful听and听asked if there was cream in it. There isn鈥檛 鈥� but that should give you an idea about how smooth this soup is. It could easily be made vegetarian with vegetable stock, just be sure to taste and add enough salt for seasoning.
Roasted butternut squash soup with toasted pumpkin seeds
听From 鈥溾�� by Janet Fletcher
Serves 6 to 8
1 butternut squash
听3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
听1 large yellow onion, minced
听2 large cloves garlic, minced
听1 teaspoon ancho chile powder or other chile powder
听5 cups chicken broth (if canned, use equal parts broth and water, plus more if needed)
听Kosher or sea salt
听2 teaspoons finely minced canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce, or more to taste
听Freshly grated Cotija cheese, for garnish
听Hulled, roasted, and salted pumpkin seeds to garnish
听Coarsely chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. With a cleaver or heavy chef鈥檚 knife, cut off the stem end of the squash, then cut the squash into 8 roughly equal pieces. Discard the stringy matter and seeds in the seed cavity. Using 1 tablespoon of the oil, grease a baking dish just large enough to the squash in a single layer. Put the squash in the baking dish, cut side down. Cover with aluminum foil and bake until tender when pierced, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool completely, then scrape the flesh away from then skin with a spoon.
2. Heat the remains 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over moderately low heat. Add the onion and saut茅 until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and chile powder and saut茅 for 1 minute to release the garlic fragrance.
3. Add the squash flesh and the broth to the pot. Bring to a simmer, stirring. Adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
4. Let the soup cool slightly, then puree in a blender or food processor, in batches if necessary, or use an immersion blender. Return to a clean pot, if removed to blend. If the soup is too thick for your taste, thin with additional broth. Season with salt and chile.
5. Reheat the soup to serve. Divide among warmed soup bowls, and garnish each portion with the cheese, pumpkin seeds, and cilantro. Serve immediately.
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