Butternut Squash Soup

🕒 Prep Time: 25 min | 🕒 Cook Time: 30 min | 🕒 Total Time: 55 min
🍽️ Servings: 4-6

Ingredients:

• 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, deseeded, and sliced into fourths

• 2 small red onions, halved

• 1 small apple (green or red), halved

• 1-2 handfuls whole cherry tomatoes

• 1-2 heads garlic, remove extra skin and slice off top to reveal cloves

• 1 tablespoon dried sage

• 1 tablespoon dried rosemary

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• Olive oil

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Chicken broth (optional)

• Coconut milk (optional)

• Cooked gnocchi (optional)

Instructions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees.

2. Add herbs to a small bowl and combine.

3. Add the butternut squash to a large baking sheet. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with a bit of the herb mixture. Rub the herbs lightly into the squash.

4. Roast squash for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven.

5. Add the rest of the ingredients on the baking sheet along with the squash. Drizzle with oil liberally over all the veg and then sprinkle the herbs. Rub and mix to combine oil and herbs.

6. Roast combined veg for 20 minutes. Check for tenderness. Add more roasting time if needed.

7. Add roasted veg to a food processor or large blender in batches. Squeeze softened garlic out of head. Blend till smooth. 

8. Add soup to a large pot and heat to serve. You can also make the soup a day or two beforehand and store in the refrigerator. 

Thin with chicken broth, if needed. For creamier soup, add coconut milk or other milk alternative. I like to add cooked gnocchi and top with pumpkin seeds for a nice crunch.

💚The Healthy Bit: Butternut Squash 💚
Butternut squash offers a number of health benefits. High levels of Vitamin C and beta-carotene, which the body converts to Vitamin A, in addition to lutein and zeaxanthin, help strengthen the immune system, protect eyes, and contribute to healthy skin. Butternut squash also contains fiber, potassium, and magnesium, which work to regulate blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which help reduce the risk of heart disease. High fiber also promotes regular bowel movements and helps you to feel full, which can aid in managing healthy weight levels.