Spicy Acorn Squash Soup Recipes

ACORN SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cut the squash in half on the equator and remove the seeds with a spoon. Cut a flat spot on each end so the squash will sit flat. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and arrange the squash, cut side up. To 3 of the squash halves, add a peeled shallot and to the other 3 add 2 garlic cloves on each. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season with 1 tablespoon each of the salt and freshly cracked pepper. Roast in the hot oven until very tender and starting to caramelize and collapse, approximately 1 hour. Remove from oven and when cool enough to handle, remove the squash from the skin. Reserve the roasted shallots and garlic with the squash. Can be done ahead.
• In a large Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat and when the butter is starting to foam, add the raw diced shallots and saute until they are starting to caramelize, about 5 to 6 minutes. Deglaze with 1/2 cup of the chicken stock and stir to remove any fond. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add in the reserved squash, roasted shallots and garlic and then the remaining chicken stock. Stir to combine, then puree with a stick blender. The mixture will be very thick. Add in the cayenne, white pepper and the herbs. Stir in the cream and Worcestershire sauce and heat slowly over medium-low heat. When the mixture comes to a slow simmer, mix again with the stick blender and stir in 1/4 cup of the Parmesan and turn heat to low. Serve with a fresh crack of black pepper, a nice drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a light sprinkle of remaining Parmesan. Ladle into soup bowls and serve.

SPICY VEGAN ACORN SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Rinse and drain split peas and lentils. Place them in a large soup pot with 2 cups water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low. Add garlic, ginger, salt, turmeric, pepper, chile powder, cinnamon, cumin, crushed red chile, and bay leaves. Stir and let simmer until peas and lentils are soft, about 20 minutes.
• Stir the remaining 1 1/2 cups water, squash, yam, tomatoes, and onion into the pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until squash and yam are tender, about 15 minutes.

SPICY ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
• Halve the acorn squash and remove all seeds. Keep them halved, or quarter or slice them, depending on your preference.
• Mix the spices (cayenne optional) in a bowl until fully combined.
• Place the acorn squash on a foil-lined baking sheet, then sprinkle the spice mix over all of the squash pieces.
• Place the squash in the oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

ROASTED ACORN SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Put squash into a baking dish with the cut side down. Pour enough water into the baking dish to cover the bottom.
• Bake in preheated oven until the flesh of the squash is easily pricked with a fork, about 45 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool until squash can be handled. Scoop flesh into a bowl and set aside.
• Melt butter in a pot over medium-high heat. Cook onion, carrot, and garlic in melted butter until soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Pour chicken stock into the pot; add the squash.
• Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
• Pour mixture into a blender no more than half full. Cover and hold lid down; pulse a few times before leaving on to blend. Puree in batches until smooth and return to pot.
• Stir half-and-half, nutmeg, and cinnamon through the blended soup; season with salt and pepper. Thin the soup with water if desired.