(Fresh sage enhances the flavor of the butternut squash. Top with creme fraiche, and serve with a warm loaf of crusty bread.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Ingredients:
- 1 butternut squash, 4 pounds
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter or olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 6 sage leaves
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup creme fraiche
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Prick the squash with a fork and place it whole on a sheet pan. Roast for 45 minutes in the oven until the squash has softened. Cool the squash, then cut it in half and remove the seeds. Peel the halves and cut into 2-inch chunks. Reserve.
Peel, trim, and coarsely chop the onion. Reserve.
Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. When the butter starts to brown, add the onion and saute until it is translucent and starts to brown, about 4 to 5 minutes.
Add the honey to the onions and cook until it bubbles. Add the squash chunks and sage. Season with salt and pepper.
Add the chicken stock and enough water to cover the squash by an inch. Bring the soup to a boil and lower the heat to a simmer. Cook the soup until the onions and squash are very tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Add more liquid if necessary to keep the squash submerged.
Remove the pan from the heat and cool for 15 minutes.
Puree the soup in a blender. Do not fill the blender more than two-thirds full or you risk having the contents explode. Allow the steam to escape by removing the center plug in the lid and covering the hole with a thick towel to protect your hand. Hold the lid securely down and lift the towel slightly to allow the pressurized air to escape as you blend.
Strain through a coarse strainer if you want a smoother soup or return it directly to the pan; season it with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the finished soup back to a boil.
Ladle it into bowls and serve with a spiral of creme fraiche, about 1 tablespoon per bowl.
Yield: 8 servings
Recipe Source: The Vineyard Kitchen by Maria Helm Sinskey (HarperCollins)
Reprinted with permission.
Prick the squash with a fork and place it whole on a sheet pan. Roast for 45 minutes in the oven until the squash has softened. Cool the squash, then cut it in half and remove the seeds. Peel the halves and cut into 2-inch chunks. Reserve.
Peel, trim, and coarsely chop the onion. Reserve.
Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. When the butter starts to brown, add the onion and saute until it is translucent and starts to brown, about 4 to 5 minutes.
Add the honey to the onions and cook until it bubbles. Add the squash chunks and sage. Season with salt and pepper.
Add the chicken stock and enough water to cover the squash by an inch. Bring the soup to a boil and lower the heat to a simmer. Cook the soup until the onions and squash are very tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Add more liquid if necessary to keep the squash submerged.
Remove the pan from the heat and cool for 15 minutes.
Puree the soup in a blender. Do not fill the blender more than two-thirds full or you risk having the contents explode. Allow the steam to escape by removing the center plug in the lid and covering the hole with a thick towel to protect your hand. Hold the lid securely down and lift the towel slightly to allow the pressurized air to escape as you blend.
Strain through a coarse strainer if you want a smoother soup or return it directly to the pan; season it with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the finished soup back to a boil.
Ladle it into bowls and serve with a spiral of creme fraiche, about 1 tablespoon per bowl.
Yield: 8 servings
Recipe Source: The Vineyard Kitchen by Maria Helm Sinskey (HarperCollins)
Reprinted with permission.
