Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 medium-sized butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and diced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth for a non-vegetarian version)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for roasting
• Optional toppings: roasted pumpkin seeds, a dollop of sour cream, or a drizzle of balsamic reduction

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Alternate method, sauté ingredients in a frying pan.
     

2. Roast the Vegetables:

   • Place the diced butternut squash, chopped onion, carrots, and apples on a baking sheet.
   • Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat evenly.
   • Roast in the preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.

3. Sauté Garlic:

   • In a large pot, heat a bit of olive oil over medium heat.
   • Add minced garlic and sauté for about a minute until fragrant.

4. Combine Ingredients:

   • Add the roasted vegetables and apples to the pot with garlic.
   • Pour in the vegetable broth and stir to combine.

5. Season:

   • Add ground cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Stir well.

6. Simmer:

   • Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes to allow the flavours to meld.

7. Blend:

   • Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Alternatively, carefully transfer the soup to a blender in batches and blend until smooth. Be cautious with hot liquids in a blender, and allow the soup to cool slightly before blending.

8. Adjust Consistency:

   • If the soup is too thick, you can add more broth or water until you reach your desired consistency.

9. Taste and Adjust Seasoning:

   • Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or spices if needed.

10. Serve:

    • Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with your choice of toppings. Roasted pumpkin seeds, a dollop of sour cream, or a drizzle of balsamic reduction all work well.

11. Enjoy:

    • Serve the soup hot and enjoy the rich, comforting flavours of fall!

Feel free to customize this recipe based on your preferences. You can also add a touch of sweetness with a splash of maple syrup or a pinch of brown sugar. The combination of butternut squash, apples, and warming spices makes this soup a perfect fall comfort food.

Source: Some or all of the content was generated using an AI language model