Creamy Squash Soup

CREAMY SQUASH SOUP
The weather in Northern Indiana this winter has been wild to say the least. Last week we had temperatures in the 60s and it felt like Spring.  This week we have had temperatures in the single digits, wind, and snow!  When the weather gets cold, we crave something hot and comforting.  Today that happened to be soup.

Each fall I buy extra acorn and butternut squash and save them for use during the winter.  You can keep them in a cool, dry place and if you want to preserve them longer, dip the stem in wax or paraffin and they will keep for months.  I had an acorn and a butternut squash I decided to whip into a creamy squash soup.  It turned out great and made a tasty  dinner on a cold winter's night.  If you don't have whole squash to use, substitute frozen squash--a couple of small boxes should do the trick quite nicely.

Here is how I made the soup.  I hope you enjoy making your own.  This recipe will probably make about four servings.  Keep warm--on the inside and out--with soup!
-Nanette

Creamy Squash Soup

Cut open two squash-either butternut or acorn will do.  Clean out the seeds and place the halves in your crock pot with about 1/2 inch of water.  Cook on low for a couple of hours or until they are tender to the fork or knife.  A little salt on top is all you need at this point.

When the squash is cooked, take it out of the crock pot and scoop the squash flesh out of the skins.  Discard the skin.  Set aside.

In a saucepan or skillet, heat a small amount of olive oil.  Add a chopped small to medium onion.  Cook until translucent.  Add salt, pepper, and about 1/2 teaspoon of thyme to the onions.

In a blender, place one small can of chicken broth, the cooked onion mixture, and the scooped squash flesh. Pulse until the mixture becomes smooth.  Add about 1/4 to 1/2 stick of butter to the pulsed mixture

Return this mixture to the crock pot (be sure you have dumped the water out first) and heat on low.

Just before serving, whisk in about 1 cup of half and half.  This will make the soup lighter and creamier.

Ladle the soup into a bowl.  If you like, dot with croutons for a little texture.  Enjoy this warm, filling, satisfying soup!