Categories: Main Soup

Ingredients

• 4 T EarthBalance/Coconut Oil/Olive Oil
• 1 shallot minced
• 1 large butternut squash, split, and scraped (SAVE scrapings and seeds)
• 6 cups water
• 1/2 cup soymilk or coconut milk
• 1 T brown sugar or maple syrup
• fresh nutmeg

Directions

1. Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven (or heavy pot) over medium-low heat . Add the shallot and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the squash scrapings and seeds, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter turns saffron color, about 4 minutes.

2. Add the water and 1 teaspoon salt to the pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low, place the squash cut-side down in a steamer basket, and lower the basket into the pot. Cover and steam until the squash is completely tender, about 30 minutes. Take the pot off the heat, and use tongs to transfer the squash to a rimmed baking sheet. When cool enough to handle, use a large spoon to scrape the flesh from the skin. Reserve the squash flesh in a bowl and discard the skins.

3. Strain the steaming liquid through a mesh strainer into a second bowl; discard the solids in the strainer. (You should have 2½ to 3 cups of liquid.) Rise and dry the pot.

4. Puree the squash in batches in a blender or food processor, pulsing and adding enough reserved steaming liquid to obtain a smooth consistency [an immersion blender also works well]. Transfer the puree to the pot and stir in the remaining steaming liquid, cream, and brown sugar. Warm the soup over medium-low heat until hot, about 3 minutes. Stir in the nutmeg and adjust the seasonings, adding salt to taste. Serve. Soup can be refrigerated in an airtight container for several days. Warm over low heat until hot; do not boil.

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