Butternut Squash Soup

Right now at this very moment, you should be eating squash. Butternut, Acorn, Pumpkins. All of them are on display at the local markets and grocery shops, and they cost next to nothing. So, if that is not reason enough to go out and buy them, then consider the health benefits!

When we lived and worked in the US, we loved this time of year because our very good friend Farmer Jon kept us in constant supply of Pumpkins and Winter Squash. I have noticed that although people are not really eating them, there are a heck of a lot more pumpkins around this year, as opposed to the last two years. So, if you are wondering what to do with some of them, then why not try an easy soup recipe. 

We use the smaller orange ones (like in the photo above) or the butternut squash (below). The flesh is firm and they are both very sweet.  Cut them in half (you need a very strong arm and sharp knife for this task) and scoop out the seeds and stringy bits. Dispose of this in your compost bin.

For the soup you will need:

2 large squash

1 tbsp salt

1 tsp white pepper

1 tbsp butter

3 cups of chicken stock

4 tbsp honey

1tsp ginger (fresh grated)

4 oz heavy cream

1 tsp nutmeg

How to make it:

It is best if you roast the squash first. Flesh side up, rub the squash with the butter, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Allow to roast in a fairly hot oven for 40 minutes. Once done, the squash can be scooped out of its skin into a large pot. It will taste delicious with a much more concentrated flavour from the roasting process.

Next add the chicken stock, honey and the ginger and with your stick blender, puree the soup.

Allow it to simmer, then stir in the heavy cream. Taste it, trying not to burn your mouth.

Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. 

A little dollop of cream on top for presentation purposes finishes it off nicely.

Enjoy!

We have just heard the word 'Snow' thrown into weekend forecast. Seeing as my winter jacket is still in the attic and has not been used once since moving home from the US, I will not hold my breath!

Just a little over a month until Christmas, time to get those lights up!

Those are all the WiseWords I have for today,

WiseMóna