Squash Soup Recipe

In Australia butternut squash is known as butternut pumpkin and is a type of winter squash. It’s a fruit that grows on a vine, originates from around Mexico and is similar to a pumpkin, with a sweet, nutty taste with yellow skin and an orange pulp. As it gets riper it becomes increasingly orange as well as becoming increasingly richer and sweeter. Butternut squash is great as it’s not only versatile – it’s an excellent source of fibre, vitamin C, vitamin A, manganese and potassium. It can be roasted, toasted, grilled, pured, or mashed and used in soup, bread, casseroles, even muffins. Squash soup makes a great starter: it’s heathy, easy to prepare and above all it’s delicious. Below is a simple recipe that I hope you will enjoy!

Time from opening cupboards to serving: Half an hour, Serves four people

Ingredients: one fairly large butternut squash, a large onion, half a kilo of potatoes, fresh coriander leaves (these are optional), 35ml of olive oil, around 70ml of double cream, a cube of stock, pepper and a 1 inch cube of butter

1. Using a peeler, remove all skin from the squash. Cut off the ends, cut in half and take out all the pips. Then cut into 1″ cubes.

2. Add the oil and butter to a large pan. Melt the butter on a low heat.

3. Chop the onion into small pieces. Add to the pan and fry – still on a low heat. You don’t want to brown the onion, just soften it up.

4. Peel and cut the potatoes into small cubes. Add them to the pan with the onions and mix them well, making sure they are well covered with the oil.

5. Now add the squash, again stir well covering with oil, put the lid on and leave for ten minutes, returning after five minutes to stir.

6. After ten minutes the potato should have started to get softer. At this point add the cube of stock to 1l of water, mix well, and add to the pan. Leave this simmering slowly until all the vegetables soften. This will take a 1/4 hour and during this time add water if necessary (making sure the veg are just covered)

7. Add the cream and the coriander leaves (if using). Use an electric blender until smooth.

butternut squash soup makes a delicious starter, especially in winter.