Categories: Fall, October2010, soups, squash
Ingredients
- Roasted Winter Squash
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups diced (3/4-inch) raw winter squash (butternut, hubbard, acorn)
- Salt and pepper
- Soup
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced onion (1/4-inch)
- 1/4 cup diced celery (1/4-inch)
- 1/4 cup diced carrot (1/4-inch)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 carton (32 oz) Progresso® chicken broth (4 cups)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground toasted coriander, if desired
- 1 1/2 cups Roasted Winter Squash (above)
- 1/2 cup half-and-half, if desired*
- 2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 cup Progresso® plain panko crispy bread crumbs, toasted light brown in sauté pan over medium heat
Directions
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To make roasted winter squash: Heat oven to 375°F. Heat butter over medium-high heat in an ovenproof sauté pan; add diced squash, salt and pepper. When squash begins to brown, place pan in oven. Roast for 15 minutes or until medium-brown on all sides. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Puree in food processor, or mash with potato masher or ricer. Measure 1 1/2 cups squash; reserve.
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To make soup: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until hot. Add the onion, celery, carrot and cinnamon stick; sauté until soft but not brown, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the broth and the coriander; bring to a boil. Simmer for several minutes. Stir in reserved squash until smooth; simmer gently to let the flavors meld, about 10 minutes. Discard the cinnamon stick.
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Puree the soup using an immersion blender or in a blender until smooth. (The soup can be made ahead to this point, cooled, covered, and refrigerated for several days or frozen for about 1 month. It will thicken as it cools and may need thinning with broth or water when reheating.)
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Return the soup to the pan and reheat gently. Add the half-and-half. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Top each serving with pumpkin seeds and toasted bread crumbs.
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Tip *Depending on how rich you want it, or how cold it is outside, you can use cream, yogurt or mascarpone instead of the half-and-half.