Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Ground pistachios add richness--eliminating the need for cream-and balances out the sweetness of the roasted butternut squash.
Author: Lemons & Anchovies
Recipe type: Soup
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
- 2 small butternut squash (1½ large), peeled, seeded and cut in cubes
- 1 onion, roughly chopped
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 teaspoons curry powder (you won't really taste the curry but it adds depth to the soup)
- 3-4 large fresh sage leaves, chopped
- ¼ - ⅓ cup pistachios, lightly toasted then finely ground (w/ mini processor or coffee grinder)
- 4 cups vegetable stock
- salt and pepper, to taste
- olive oil
Instructions
- To roast the butternut squash: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Arrange the squash pieces on a large baking tray and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to combine and roast for 30-35 minutes or until tender.
- To prepare the soup: Sauté the celery and onion in olive oil over medium-high heat in a large pan. Cook for about 4-5 minutes. After this time the onion should be slightly caramelized and the celery crisp-tender. Add the sage leaves and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Add the roasted squash and the stock and bring to a boil then lower the heat to simmer and cook for about 5 minutes. Turn the heat off.
- Purée the mixture using a blender (in batches) or an immersion blender (right in the pot). Return to the pot and stir in the ground pistachios; simmer for another minute or two. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve.
Vicki Bensinger says
What a beautiful story. I too have fond memories of my grandmother who shared a room with me growing up. I still miss her and like your grandmother mine also wore dresses or a housecoat daily.
As for the butternut squash soup it looks wonderful. I made 1 1/2 gallons of butternut squash soup last night for a soup event at the Cancer Support Community in my area. I teach culinary classes there as well as donating some of my time. It’s most rewarding giving of yourself to others and knowing you’ve made a difference in their lives.
Although your grandmother sounds like she was quiet and reserved it sounds like she made quite the impact on the community. You were lucky to have her as family and to have fond memories that will last you a lifetime!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Such a lovely post, Jean! It’s amazing how much we can learn about someone through observation – your grandmother sounds like a remarkable woman who was happy to share all that she had with others. A sweet example indeed!
I love your soup too – I have a butternut squash just waiting to be used, and this looks like the perfect use for it. I love the pistachio addition!
Suzanne says
Lovely soup and post, your grandma sounds like a great person. It’s wonderful to have such positive memories of our loved ones. Your photos are so vibrant 🙂
Rosa says
A wonderful ode to your grandmother. She must have been a lovely woman. I miss my grandparents too…
This soup is gorgeous!
Cheers,
Rosa
Jen Laceda @ Tartine and Apron Strings says
Jean, that’s a wonderful story about your May! I was very close to my paternal grandmother as well – we even shared the same bedroom until I was in my 20’s 🙂 I liked sleeping with my “Amah” (grandma) that I gave up my own room, can you imagine??! We are indeed so lucky to have such great role models – in home making, cooking, in life! Your May is looking down on you now, with love in her eyes, I am sure of that!
The Café Sucré Farine says
What a sweet post Jean, she sounds like quite the gal! I know you miss her dearly but it’s wonderful to have such great memories. Your soup looks wonderful, love the pistachios.
Kim - Liv LIfe says
Oh, Jean… you post truly warmed my heart. What beautiful memories you have. So interesting that she spoke to you more after she passed away, but I really understand that. I never really knew my grandparents, they lived in Minnesota and we lived in San Rafael. They came once ever two years for 10 days and just when I got used to them they went home. Della was born in Germany and never lost her thick accent. She was a wonderful cook and I’m so sorry that I never really talked to her about cooking. But I think of her when I make Peanut Butter Cookies. Somehow she knew they were my favorite, and whenever I came to visit her they were always on the table.
Thanks for sharing your memories as well as this wonderful soup! I adore butternut and butternut soup is one of the only soup s that I actually enjoy. I’m intrigued by the addition of the pistachios. They are sort of new to me too, but I’m loving their use here. Creamyness without the cream… perfection!
Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking says
Oh Jean, your post brought tears to my eyes. I miss my family so much, especially around the holidays and i can’t wait to go back home and visit them. I always fear I may not see my grandma and every time I see my dad’s phone number showing on my phone I fear the worst.
Thanks for sharing this recipe in memory of your grandma, I’m pretty sure she would have loved a warm bowl of this comforting soup
Lisa {AuthenticSuburbanGourmet} says
Jean – what an absolutely lovely posting. I feel like I know your grandmother now. It is wonderful to slow down sometimes and reflect on memories. I never knew my Dad’s parents and my Mom’s father passed when I was 13 and my grandmother about 15 years ago. I have fond memories like you. Love that you have ponds in your drawer. I too am reflecting on volunteer work and getting involved in something that I can bring my time and talents to the table along with being an organization/ cause that I want to make a difference by donating my time and energy. I absolutely love your soup and the photos are mouthwatering!
Culinary USA says
This is so great on a warm day, my mother used to make soup very similar to this when I was younger. Looking forward to trying this recipe out myself to see how it compares!
Patty says
Beautiful memories Jean- May sounds like a lovely lady;-)
I’m bookmarking your recipe as my husband loves both butternut squash and pistachio nuts- I think this soup would be a huge hit in our house 😉
Anne B. says
I just made this and wowwwww so good. I’m in college and this is the perfect soup to have for a week!! 🙂 Thanks, girl.
lemonsandanchovies says
That’s so nice to hear! Thanks for trying my recipe and I appreciate the feedback! 🙂
Danielle says
Could I make it ahead of time and freeze servings?
Danielle says
Could I make it up ahead of time and freeze bags of it? Would it taste the same?
lemonsandanchovies says
Hi, Danielle. I have never frozen this soup before but I don’t see why not. 🙂 I don’t think there’s anything in the soup that would change its texture once defrosted. If you decide to make it maybe you can freeze one small portion overnight and see what happens. When I make the soup again I’ll do the same and report back here. Thanks for checking in; I’m sorry I wasn’t more help than this! 🙂