Winter Squash Melody Soup Recipe

I am such a HUGE fan of growing winter squash. I love summer squash too, but I just love how in the middle of January I still have several Hubbard and Sweet Meat Squash in my kitchen still waiting to be eaten. Winter squash store so long and are so tasty too!! Hubbard squash stores the longest, I've had some throughout and entire winter. Not to mention that winter squash are super easy to grow too, more to come on that in the spring. Here is a super healthy, low fat, vegetarian yummy recipe. I also added a great Mozzarella crostini recipe a must with this soup. I use this recipe a lot this time of year check it out: 

Ingredients:

Soup:

• 2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 or 2 winter squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 3/4-inch pieces (about 7 to 8 cups)
• 5 cups veggie stock
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh sage leaves
•  salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Mozzarella Crostini:

• 1/2 baguette, sliced diagonally into 1/2-inch thick slices
• Olive oil, for drizzling
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage leaves or basil (works good with dried too)
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese or any great white melting cheese
• Salt

Directions:

Using a large soup pot, add the butter and oil and melt together over medium-high heat. Add the onion and carrot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Add the squash and the veggie stock. Bring the mixture to a boil and add the sage. Continue to boil until the vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes. Turn off the heat. Using an immersion blender or blender, blend the mixture until smooth and thick. Season with salt, pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg, to taste. Keep the soup warm over low heat. 

For the crostini: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange the bread slices on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with herbs. Sprinkle the cheese on top and season with salt, to taste. Place on center rack and bake until the cheese has melted and the bread is light golden, about 6 to 8 minutes.

Serve by ladling the soup into bowls and garnish with the cheese crostini....yumm!

DELICIOUS!

 and so perfect for this time of year


My soup and other fun recipes are found at: