Southwestern Squash Soup Recipes

SOUTHWESTERN PORK AND SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• In a large skillet, brown pork and onion in oil; drain. Transfer to a 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until meat is tender.

SOUTHWESTERN SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, saute onion in butter until tender. Add cumin and coriander; toss to coat. Add sweet potatoes, squash, broth, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Cool slightly. puree in small batches in a blender until smooth; return all to the pan. Add cream; heat through. If desired, season with cayenne pepper and garnish with nutmeg and cilantro.

BUTTERCUP SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• In a large pot, melt the butter and cook the onions until tender. Stir in the carrots and jalapeno and toss to coat. Stir in the squash and potato. Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Puree the soup in a blender in batches. Return to the pot and stir in the cream. Season to taste and garnish with the sliced scallion and bell pepper.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND ITALIAN SAUSAGE SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Lightly coat the squash halves with 1 teaspoon of the vegetable oil. Season the inside with salt and pepper and place cut-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake until very tender, about 45 minutes. When the squash is cool enough to handle, scoop out the flesh and reserve. Discard the peel.
• In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add the remaining vegetable oil and, when hot but not smoking, add the sausage. Cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until the onions wilted and starting to caramelize, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic, sage and marjoram, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the cooked squash and chicken stock, stir well to combine, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• With a hand-held immersion blender, or in batches in a food processor or blender, puree the soup. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a clean saucepan. Add the cider vinegar and stir to combine. Add the cream and adjust seasoning, to taste.
• In a small saute pan, cook the butter over medium-high heat until it begins to turn brown around the edges. Add the whole sage leaves and cook until crisp, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the leaves to paper towels to drain.
• Serve the soup in bowls, garnished with the crispy sage leaves.

SOUTHWESTERN WINTER SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Rub all over with 1 teaspoon olive oil and season the cut sides with salt and pepper. Arrange cut-side down on a baking sheet and roast until very tender, about 30 minutes (a fork should easily pierce the skin). Set aside until cool enough to handle, then scoop out the squash into a bowl and discard the skin.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the tortilla pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the carrots, red onion, chile, garlic, cumin, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring, until the onion has softened, about 4 minutes.
• Add the roasted squash, broth and 3 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the carrots are very tender, about 25 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
• Working in batches, transfer the soup to a blender and puree until smooth; return to the pot. (Or puree the soup in the pot with an immersion blender.) Add up to 1 cup water if the soup is too thick and reheat if needed. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with toppings.

WINTER SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the butter and oil in a heavy - bottomed stockpot, add the onions, and cook over medium - low heat for 10 minutes, or until translucent. Add the pumpkin puree, butternut squash, chicken stock, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer over medium - low heat for about 20 minutes, until the butternut squash is very tender. Process the mixture through the medium blade of a food mill. Return to the pot, add the half - and - half, and heat slowly. If the soup needs more flavor, add another teaspoon of salt. Serve hot with garnishes, if desired.
• Cook's Note: To serve with croutons, remove the crusts from 2 slices of white bread, cut them in 1/2-inch cubes, and saute them in 1 tablespoon of butter until browned. Season with salt and pepper.

DELICATA CREAMY SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Place the squash, cut sides down, in a baking dish. Add 1/8 inch water in baking dish, cover with foil and bake 35-40 minutes or until tender. Cool.
• In a large saucepan, melt butter. Add onion and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until onion is softened but not brown.
• Scrape the squash out of the flesh and add to onions. Add the stock and heavy cream. Cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes.
• Puree the soup in a blender or food processor. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

SOUTHWEST GHOST TOWN SOUP

Steps:

• Cut squash in half lengthwise; discard seeds. Place squash cut side down in a greased shallow baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 1-1/2 hours or until tender. Cool slightly; scoop out pulp to measure 3 cups. Transfer to a large bowl., In a small skillet, saute onion in butter until tender. Add to squash. Stir in the broth and seasonings. In a blender, process squash mixture in batches until smooth. Transfer to the large saucepan; heat through., In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, cream and lime juice. Top each serving with a dollop of sour cream mixture. Using a toothpick, swirl the dollop into the shape of a ghost.

SOUTHWESTERN SOUP

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, combine the first nine ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. , Sprinkle individual servings with cheese. Serve with tortilla chips if desired.

PRESSURE-COOKER SOUTHWESTERN PORK AND SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Select saute setting on a 6-qt. electric pressure cooker and adjust for medium heat; add oil. When oil is hot, cook and stir pork and onion in oil until browned. Press cancel. Stir in remaining ingredients. Lock lid; close pressure-release valve. Adjust to pressure-cook on high for 3 minutes. Quick-release pressure. (A thermometer inserted into pork should read at least 145°.)