I have to admit, our family isn’t a big soup family, but when we’ve been putting in long days outside in the cold weather trying to get things buttoned up before winter, sometimes a good soup really hits the spot. We like this acorn squash soup recipe, especially because we can make it completely from our own vegetables, all of which are still in season in mid October. If you don’t have any acorn squash handy, you can substitute for another winter squash variety: butternut, kabocha, delicata, or even pumpkin.
For ingredients, you’ll need squash, carrots, onion, garlic, vegetable broth, extra virgin olive oil, maple syrup, and some fresh herbs and seasonings.
To Make Soup:
1. Slice 2-3 medium squashes in half and scoop the seeds out of the middle. If you have a hard time cutting through the thick skin of the squash, try popping it in the microwave for a minute to soften it up. (I can’t remember where I read about this trick but it does seem to help.)
2. Preheat the oven to 400°. Brush the squash with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, then place face down on a baking sheet. Roast for 45 minutes, or until the squash is fork tender.
3. In the meantime, dice a yellow onion and 2-3 carrots. Add some olive oil to a large pot and sautée the chopped vegetables over medium heat until tender.
4. Mince 2-3 cloves of garlic and roughly chop about a tablespoon of herbs (I use rosemary, sage, and thyme) and add to the carrot and onion mixture, along with about 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg and 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, plus more salt and pepper to taste.
5. Scoop the soft flesh of the roasted squash into the pot, discarding the skins. Pour in 4 cups of vegetable broth. Stir to combine, then allow to simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes.
6. Add 1 tablespoon of maple syrup to the pot, then use an immersion blender to blend until the soup appears smooth.
7. Enjoy!
I usually serve this soup with some homemade sourdough foccacia on the side for dipping, but you could also try garnishing it with toasted pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, or croutons for some added crunch.
Did you know that we sell vegetables from our organic market garden? You can find a selection of whatever is in season at our farmstand, or you can order produce from our website and we’ll deliver it right to your door! (Click here to see if you live within our local delivery area.)