Thursday, April 23, 2009

Butternut Squash Soup




For a long time after coming to US I haven't bought butternut squash or never thought of buying one until recently a visit to a friend's house changed my mind. We were served butternut squash soup as appetizer. That was the first time I was having a dish made with squash and it tasted so delicious that I vowed to make it after that but never happened until few weeks later! Before that during weekend trips to grocery stores I turned a blind eye to squash, despite knowing its nutritional facts, simply because it looked so huge and I didn't know(or didn't want to know!) how to cut it! The very thought of cutting and making a squash soup made me feel lazy until during our grocery store trip one and half weeks ago when my husband suddenly said,"
Hey, lets buy squash this time and make soup". Still after buying, it sat in the refrigerator until yesterday when it suddenly occurred to me that its been more than a week since we bought it. Since it was my first attempt with squash I was a bit confused as how to cut it and hence turned to google search and came upon this video: How to peel and cut a butternut squash. That helped me out!

The soup is very easy to prepare and requires minimum effort. The squash is rich in minerals and vitamins and it contains beta-carotene that is essential for healthy eyes and skin. The addition of spices makes the soup very flavourful.

Ingredients:
One butternut squash cut into small pieces
1/2 white onion chopped
2 ripe tomatoes chopped
2 celery stalks chopped
3 cups chicken broth/vegetable broth
Italian seasoning- 2 tsp + more for garnish
Ground pepper- 1/2 tsp(or less depending on your level of spiciness)
Freshly ground pepper
Few basil leaves chopped
Salt to taste
2 chicken cubes
2 tbsp butter
3/4 cup milk
Water for cooking(if needed)

Method:
  • In a large sauce pan add chopped squash, onions, tomatoes, basil and celery.
  • Add broth, ground pepper, Italian seasoning and salt. Mix well. You may need to add additional water for cooking. Heat and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to low-medium and cook with a closed lid till the squash pieces are cooked well and can be mashed with the back of a spoon. This may take about 25-20 minutes.
  • Remove from heat, cool and blend the mixture well. Keep aside.
  • Heat the same pan used for cooking and melt butter. Add blended mixture along with chicken cubes and milk. You may add more or less milk depending on the amount of thickness you need.
  • Bring to a boil, add freshly ground pepper, adjust salt and cook at low-medium heat until the soup has reached the right consistency. Remove from heat.
  • Garnish with Italian seasoning.
  • Serve hot with croutons.
Pooja.

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26 comments:

Deepa Hari said...

I love soups...never tried with butternut squash....looks yummy Pooja...The link is helpful...even i used to wonder how to peel it...Thanks for sharing.

Pooja said...

Thanks Deepa :) It was my first attempt..the video really helped.

Varsha Vipins said...

Oh..thanks for this one Pooja ..Even I have carelessly avoided this veggie till date..:P..Seeing the ingredients n pic am sure this is lip smacking..I am gona try this sometime ..:)

Pooja said...

Thanks Varsha :)

Priyameena said...

Looks like a very Healthy soup!!Sure will be wonderful starter..

Ramya Vijaykumar said...

Wow pooja, color is brilliant... Even I was reluctant to buy butternut squash when I first came here, then slowly I got used to it...

Pooja said...

Priya, yes this is a healthy soup :)
Thanks Ramya :)

Mahimaa's kitchen said...

wow. lovely soup. looks so comforting..

thanks for dropping comments in my blog pooja.

Valarmathi Sanjeev said...

Healthy and yummy soup. Good one. Like the color.

Deepthi Shankar said...

Looks awesome .. love butternut squash soup ..

Bhawna said...

Hi Pooja, Thanks for sharing the recipe. Even i've never tried anyth with squash, I think ur leaving the doors open.....

Vrinda said...

soup looks yumm ,lov the color...But i dont like soups,i will show this to my hubby,he likes soups...

Renuka said...

Once i bought squash and it was very difficult to cut it.. The skin is so hard..So didnt try buying after that.. the soup looks good..

Pooja said...

Nice color pooja..Never heard of this soup..looks yummy..

Pooja said...

Thanks Mahimaa, Valarmathi, Deesha :)
Bhawna, Welcome :) It was my first attempt too..You would love it.
Okay Vrinda..Thanks :)
Thanks Renuka,Microwaving squash for about 1.5-2 minutes after cutting both ends would make the job easier :)
Thanks Pooja :)

saffronapron.blogspot.com said...

My first time here.I love butternut squash soup. Care giving me a bowl of it:)

Pooja said...

Thanks Smitha..Sure you can have it :)

ARUNA said...

though i'm not so much into soups, my husband just loves them. Will try yours sometime Pooja.

And yeah thanks for ur lovely comments!

Vikis Kitchen said...

Butter nut squash in soup makes me drooling. Nice appetizer for a party.
Lovely pics dear.

Pooja said...

Thanks Aruna and Vicky :)

Pavithra Elangovan said...

I love soups very much.. i too make this .. nice picture

Pooja said...

Thanks Pavithra..I too love soups :)

Vishali said...

love the butternut sqaush Pooja. Like you I never tried it too. It looks tempting. will try it sometime.

Pooja said...

Thanks Vishali..you would love it :)

Bharti said...

This sound slovely..add some crusty bread and its a perfect meal.

Pooja said...

Thanks Bharti..you are right..Unfortunately I ran out of croutons and didnt have enough time to make crusty bread too!