Silky Squash Soup

Silky squash soup without broth base!!!

Attribution Link

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 4-6

Prep Time: 15   Cook Time: 45  

Ingredients

4 tablespoons butter
2 medium shallots , minced (about 4 tablespoons)
3 pounds butternut squash, or any winter squash you like (about 1 large), unpeeled, squash halved lengthwise, seeds and stringy fibers scraped with spoon and reserved (about 1/4 cup), and each half cut into quarters
table salt
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon dark brown sugar (trust me, this won’t make it sickly sweet)

Directions

Heat butter in large Dutch oven over medium-low heat until foaming; add shallots and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add squash scrapings and seeds and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and butter turns saffron color, about 4 minutes. Add 6 cups water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt to Dutch oven and bring to boil over high heat; reduce heat to medium-low, place squash cut-side down in steamer basket, and lower basket into pot. Cover and steam until squash is completely tender, about 30 minutes. Off heat, use tongs to transfer squash to rimmed baking sheet; reserve steaming liquid. When cool enough to handle, use large spoon to scrape flesh from skin into medium bowl; discard skin.

Pour reserved steaming liquid through mesh strainer into second bowl; discard solids in strainer. Rinse and dry Dutch oven.

In blender, or using immersion blender, puree squash and reserved liquid in batches, pulsing on low until smooth. Transfer puree to Dutch oven (when I use the immersion blender I puree it right in the pot!); stir in cream and brown sugar and heat over medium-low heat until hot. Add salt to taste; serve immediately.

Categories: Cream Soups, Gourmet, Holiday, Potluck, Soups & Stews, Special Occasions

Submitted by: shortstack on January 17, 2011