Acorn squash soup with warm spices

Warm your stomach with this yummy soup, found in Chatelaine's October issue.

Warm your stomach with this yummy soup, found in Chatelaine‘s October issue.

Acorn squash soup with warm spices

Prep time: 25 minutes
Total cooking time: 1 hour
Makes: 6 servings
Per Serving 194 calories, 4 g protein, 25 g carbs, 11 g fat, 4 g fibre,  595 mg sodium. Good source of vitamin A.

Ingredients:

  • 1 kg acorn squash
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil, divided
  • 1/2 tsp salt, divided
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 3 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup 35% cream
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1/2 cup pepitas (optional)
  • sour cream (optional)

Method:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Peel squash, then cut in half and set seeds aside. Cut squash into 1-inch cubes. Squash should measure about 7 cups.

Wash and dry 1/3 cup squash seeds. Toss with 1 tsp oil and 1/8 tsp salt on  a baking sheet. Toast seeds on the middle rack of the oven until golden brown, for 13 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool.

Heat a large pot over medium. Add remaining oil, then onion. Cook until onion softens, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, spices and remaining salt. Cook  for 1 minute. Add cubed squash and cook  for 2 minutes. Add broth and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium. Gently boil, partially covered, until squash for 25 to 30 minutes, or until very tender.

Purée mixture in pot using a hand blender, or in a blender in batches. Stir in cream and lime juice. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with toasted squash seeds, pepitas and sour cream.

TIP: Slice 1/2 in. off bottoms of 6 squash so they sit flat. Cut off tops for lids. Scoop out seeds and enough squash to hold 1 cup of soup. Brush bowls and lids with oil and set on a baking sheet. Bake at 400F until just tender, about 25 min.

Courtesy Claire Tansey
http://www.chatelaine.com/
@tanseyclaire

Photo credit Erik Putz