Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 large whole organic butternut squash
  
• 2 Tbs organic butter
  
• 1 Organic apple (preferably fuji or gala)
  
• 1 Organic yellow onion 
  
• 2 Bay leaves
  
• 1/4 tsp Fresh thyme
  
• 1/4 tsp Fresh terragon
  
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric
  
• 1/4 tsp Cinnamon
  
• 1 Dash of cayenne (or two or three to taste)
  
• 2 C chicken or veggie broth
  
• 1 C filtered water
  
• 1 tsp sea salt
  
• 2 dashes white pepper 
  
• Fresh ground black pepper to taste
  
• Squeeze of lemon
  
• 1/2 C organic milk 
  
• Butternut squash seeds for garnish
  
• whole plain organic yogurt
  
• dash of paprika
  
• Greek Koroneiki EVOO, or any 30AOO Varietal EVOO's

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and hollow out the middle separating the seeds and setting them aside (do not throw out). Cover the inside surface of the exposed squash meat with olive oil then place insides up on a baking sheet covered in parchment. Add the cleaned squash seeds to the lined baking pan, and place all in the oven to roast.
3. Be sure to check on the seeds after about 15-20 minutes and take them out or they will burn! When cooler, toss seeds in olive oil & sea salt. Set aside.
4. Meanwhile, return the squash to the oven. Roast for approx 1 hour (total) until your house smells amazing, it is slightly browned on top, & it is soft all the way through when tested with a fork. Remove from oven and let cool.
5. While the squash is cooking, dice both your onion (skinned) and apple (skin on) and sautee them in a saucepan with 2 Tbs butter and the bay leaves until apple and onions are clear and soft. Then add spices.
6. When the squash has cooled considerably, using a spoon, scrape the meat from the skin, discard skin.
7. Back in the pan, add the broth, water, roasted squash meat, salt & both peppers. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, stirring occassionally for approximately 15 minutes to blend the flavors. Remove from heat and stir in your milk of choice. Squeeze in the fresh lemon.
8. Using a blender (I prefer an immersion blender as it doesn’t require moving the soup from the sauce pan), puree the soup until it is the desired consistency.
9. Serve garnished with a dollop of yogurt & the reserved roasted butternut squash seeds.  If you want it extra pretty, I’d also add a dash of paprika, and drizzle of the olive oil. Enjoy!

Recipe from Lucero Olive Oil