Velvety Squash Soup

  • 10

Ingredients

  • 1 (3-pound) butternut squash
  • 1 (2-pound) acorn squash
  • Cooking spray
  • 2 cups coarsely chopped onion
  • 2 teaspoons canola oil
  • 5 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
  • 2/3 cup apple cider
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
  • 2/3 cup half-and-half
  • Chopped fresh thyme (optional)

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 425°.

Cut each squash in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membranes. Place squash, cut sides down, on a jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray.

Combine onion and oil, tossing to coat. Spread onion mixture onto pan around squash. Bake at 425° for 45 minutes or until squash and onion are tender. Cool slightly. Scoop out squash pulp from skins; discard skins.

Place onion and squash pulp in a Dutch oven. Stir in broth and the next 5 ingredients (through pepper); bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes.

Place half of squash mixture in a blender. Remove center piece of blender lid (to allow steam to escape); secure blender lid on blender. Place a clean towel over opening in blender lid (to avoid splatters). Blend until smooth. Pour into a large bowl. Repeat procedure with remaining squash mixture. Return pureed mixture to pan; stir in half-and-half. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Garnish with thyme, if desired.

155 cal, 3g fat, 32.3g carb, 4.2g fiber, 418mg sodium