Squash Soup With Oranges
A friend asked me the other day, how I come up with my recipes. Well, I cook like an Italian in Italy. What is in my refrigerator? Today I have squash in the pantry and I need to use it. I think of soup and thus my Squash Soup With Oranges. The oranges, cinnamon and nutmeg I add as part of my Sicilian upbringing.
Some people say that soup is a fall and winter food, but we ate it throughout the year. Nonna always had a pot of it simmering on the stove and it ensured that we ate all our vegetables. We also drank bone broth when we came home from school. Who knew that those simple things kept us healthy?
I am also experimenting with spices and I attended a spice workshop with Devanni Peters who teaches yoga here in Leamington. She focused on Ayurvedic Spices and how they are good for the body. I find myself trying to fuse these new found spices in Italian and creative cooking. Today these new flavours spice up my soup. Growing up we had few spices in the cupboard; however, it was amazing what flavours nonna conjured with oregano, garlic, salt and pepper. It amazes me in Sicily how the Moroccan influence changed their cooking.
If you want to know more about garam masala go to: https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-garam-masala-995690
Butternut squash is not a vegetable that is often used in an Italian home. Over the years, it has become a favourite at our house. It is very good for you and has many health benefits. I love that it aids in keeping my bones strong. It is a great source of potassium and aids digestive health. Anything that helps keep us healthy is on my table these days. For more information read: https://www.organicauthority.com/health/8-incredible-nutrition-and-health-benefits-of-butternut-squash
Simple Ingredients
I use a large knife to peel the squash.
Cube the squash.
Onions and spices in the pan and everything toasts.
The squash hits the pan.
Some of the other ingredients include Orange Juice, broth and an apple.
Everything is in the pot for softening.
Add the milk and pulse everything.
Plated and finished for the table.
Squash Soup With Oranges
A great way to bring more potassium to your table.
Ingredients
- 1 medium butternut squash cubed 1/2 inch
- 1 onion
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp dried fennel
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 3 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large apple or pear cubed 1/2 inch
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 clementine oranges segmented
- garam masala garnish
Instructions
-
Sautée the onion in the olive oil.
Stir in the cinnamon, garam masala and fennel and toast them.
Add the water or broth.
Place in the squash and apple.
Bring to a boil and simmer on medium for 20 minutes.
Add milk and warm it up.
Pulse soup with a hand blender or food processor.
Put back into pot and add orange juice, salt and pepper.
Warm it through.
Ladle into bowls and add a dollop of yogurt. I swill it through.
Dress with orange segments and a garam masala of your choice.
Recipe Notes
I used Kapha Masala which was homemade, part of my more mindful eating and Ayurvedic diet.
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