Squash Recipes: Butternut Squash and Pumpkin Soup

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Antioxidant-rich butternut squash and pumpkin soup, served in mini pumpkins, is a grand, healthy way to start a meal. Photo By Joe Coca

Butternut Squash and Pumpkin Soup
Serves 6 

This slightly sweet, low-fat soup provides a cornucopia of heart-healthy antioxidants, carotenoids, and bioflavonoids. Served in a pumpkin, it makes a grand opening to a holiday meal.

1 medium pumpkin or 6 mini pumpkins
2 1/2 pounds butternut squash or any orange-fleshed winter squash
3 cups vegetable stock
1 cup filtered water
1 small sweet potato, peeled and cut into chunks
1 cup carrots, peeled and diced
1 apple, cored and diced
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1. Wash pumpkin, cut off top and reserve for a lid. Scrape out seeds and fiber with a spoon. Cut squash in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and fiber, and peel if waxed. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces and set aside.

2. Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan. Cover and boil. Reduce to simmer, and cook for 30 minutes or until squash, pumpkin, and vegetables are tender.

3. Transfer a quarter of the mixture to a blender or food processor. Carefully blend, covering blender or food processor with a towel. Repeat with remaining mixture until all is blended. Stir to blend the batches.

4. Serve hot in a large hollowed-out pumpkin or individually in mini pumpkins.

Read the original article, "Squash Recipes: 3 Recipes for Perfect Pumpkins and Savory Squash."