Monday, October 16, 2017

Curried Roaster Butternut Squash and Pear Soup

This one comes from the Salt Lake Tribune in November of 2001.  Must be good because I've been making it for 16 years!

Ingredients:

1 butternut squash, about 1 1/2 lbs., peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
   (I don't do it this way as it is very difficult to peel a hard butternut squash. Instead, I half and then    
   quarter the halfs with skin on and then peel after they are roasted.)
4 ripe but firm Bartlett pears, peeled, cored and cut into 1-inch cubes
   (my method is half and core the pears, peel or not peel after roasting)
2 TBSP olive oil
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup finely chopped shallots
1 TBSP dark brown sugar firmly packed
1  2 1/2 inch cinnamon stick
2 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 tsp ground coriander
6 cups chicken broth

Preheat oven to 400°.  On a large baking sheet with sides, toss squash and pears with 1 TBSP olive oil and granulated sugar. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with water.

Roast squash and pears for 30-40 minutes or until both are tender.  (Add a little more water if necessary to prevent burning.) Once cooled, puree in a food processor until smooth.

In a large soup pan, heat 1 TBSP olive oil over medium heat.  Add shallots and cook, stirring until softened but not browned, 3-5 minutes.  Add brown sugar, cinnamon stick, curry powder, cardamom and coriander.  Stir for 2 minutes.  Add pureed squash and pears and chicken broth.  Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low and simmer, staring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Discard cinnamon stick and serve, garnish with mint or cilantro.  Serves 8-10.