Roasted Butternut Squash & Apple Soup

By Foodiewife

I have never liked butternut squash, until I created this soup recipe. By roasting butternut squash and apples, with olive oil, I think it brought out a nuttier and deeper flavor. On a whim, I decided to roast some garlic, so that it wouldn't overpower the taste of the soup. Chicken stock, white wine and apple juice was had just the right acidity to brighten the flavor of this soup. I added on Yukon Gold potato, to thicken the soup. After pureeing the soup, and tasting it, I wanted to tone down the apple flavor and balance the sweet with savory. A pinch of curry powder did the trick. The soup had a silky texture with a beautiful fall orange. The curry was so subtle, and rounded off the flavor perfectly. At last, I can say that I like butternut squash!

Ingredients

• 4-5 cups butternut squash, peeled and diced
• 2 small apples, peeled, cored and cut into chunks (Granny Smith is a firm sweet/tart apple works best)
• 1 small Yukon Gold potato, cut into chunks
• 1 cup leeks, sliced thin (or 1 yellow onion, diced fine)
• 2 cups chicken (or vegetable) stock
• 2 oz. dry white wine
• 1/2 cup apple cider (preferably unsweetened and natural)
• 4-5 fresh thyme sprigs (about 4-5" long)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/8 tsp curry powder (optional)
• coarse salt & fresh cracked pepper
• good olive oil

Preparation

Step 1

NOTE: You don't have to roast the vegetables nor garlic. I find that when I roast vegetables, they take on a deeper and nuttier flavor. Roasting garlic transforms a pungent and strong flavor into a mellow and sweet

Preheat the oven to 375F.

Cut a small sheet of aluminum foil. Center 4-5 fresh garlic cloves and lightly drizzle with olive oil. Seal the foil and place on the baking sheet with the butternut squash and/or apples. Roasting time is 20-25 minutes. Set aside and allow to cool. Once the garlic is cool enough to safely handle, the soft pulp will gently squeeze out. Set aside.

On a parchment of foiled lined baking sheet, dump the diced butternut squash. Drizzle a little olive oil (1-2 Tbsp.) and sprinkle with some coarse salt & black pepper. With your hands, toss the squash to coat and season evenly. Roast for approximately 20 minutes, until tender and lightly golden on the edges.

On a separate baking sheet, do the same for the apple chunks. (You could roast it all one one large pan, if you have room.) Roast for about 15 minutes.

In a Dutch Oven, add a bit of olive oil (enough to lightly coat the pan) and one small pat of unsalted butter, on medium heat.

Add the leeks and cook until tender, about 2-3 minutes.

Add the curry (if you are using it) and stir for about 15 seconds.

Add the roasted garlic. (Note you can add fresh garlic, but use 1 small clove and be careful it doesn't burn.)

Add the roasted squash, diced potato, apples, the white wine and apple juice.

Add 2-3 cups of chicken stock-- enough to just cover the vegetables and fruit.

Tie the thyme & bay leaves with kitchen twine. (NOTE: You can add the thyme directly to the soup, but I used a bouquet garni just to flavor the broth. I wanted to remove the herbs for aesthetic purposes only.)

Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer on low heat. Allow the soup to cook for 20-30 minutes. NOTE: If you opted not to roast the vegetables, allow to simmer about 45 minutes, so that the vegetables and apples can cook to fork tender.

Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until smooth. Otherwise, use a blender to puree in batches. Be very careful to put a towel over the top of the blender.

The soup will be quite thick (from the potato starch).
Taste and adjust your seasonings with more salt, if necessary.

If desired, add heavy cream or whole milk to thin and give a lighter color and richer flavor. Otherwise, add more chicken or vegetable stock, until it reaches your desired consistency.

TASTING NOTES: If you love the taste of butternut squash, then decrease to using only 1 apple and just a splash of apple juice. Since I'm wary of butternut squash, I loved the balance of the apples that toned down the bitterness (to my personal taste buds) of the butternut squash.
You could substitute sage, instead of thyme, which I think would be delicious.