Posts Tagged ‘soup starters’

Australians call it butternut pumpkin because of it’s close similarity to pumpkins, but butternet squash is the real name. It comes from central America, grows on vines and has a yellow skin with an orange pulp inside. It’s fantastic as an ingredient because not only is it very versatile – it’s a good source of fibre, vitamin C, vitamin A, manganese and potassium. Squash can be roasted, toasted, grilled, pured, or mashed and used in soup, bread, casseroles, even muffins. Squash soup is a great choice for a starter. It’s easy to make, takes around half an hour from start to finish but above all else it tastes amazing. Below are the ingredients and an easy to follow recipe.

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

Ingredients: 1 large butternut squash, 1 medium-large onion, 500g potatoes, fresh coriander leaves (optional), 1 stock cube, knob of butter, 30ml olive oil and 75ml double cream (optional). Pepper to taste

1. Remove the stalk and flower from the squash before peeling off all the skin. Cut in half, dig out all the seeds and cut what remains into one inch cubes.

2. Add the butter and oil to a large pan and slowly melt the butter thoroughly.

3. Peel & chop the onion. Fry it gently in the pan, with the lid on, until it starts to soften. Keep stirring and checking to make sure the onion doesn’t brown.

4. Peel the potatoes and chop into slightly smaller cubes (about 2cm). Add to the onions, ensuring you stir them well to coat with 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.

squash soup is a fantastic starter, delicious, healthy and easy to prepare This and other unique content ’squash soup’ articles are available with free reprint rights.