



The ingredients are quite simple: a squash, an apple, an onion, and carrots. A little bit of tartness from the green apple balances the sweetness of the squash, with some heat added by chili powder. Multiple levels of flavor develop wonderfully together from the spices added throughout the process.

First things first. How do I take a store-bought squash and transform it into something I can cook? To prepare a butternut squash, first cut a thin slice off the bottom of the squash so that it can stand flat on the counter and is easier to handle. Next, peel off the outer layer off the squash. Then, using a sharp large knife, cut the squash in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds. You can either discard of the seeds or rinse them and roast in the oven. Lastly, dice the peeled and seeded squash into cubes. Of course, you could also buy pre-cubed squash from the grocery store to make life a little easier.





For this recipe you don’t need to worry about making the cubes uniform, because they will be blended eventually. The same goes for the shapes of the sliced apple, onion and carrots. Everything is roasted in the oven after being tossed with some spices, and then combined in a large pot with some chicken stock to simmer. The more chicken broth that you add, the soupier it will be.

As you may be able to tell from the photos, I usually prefer heartier, thicker soups. Those kinds of soups usually call for adding cream or dairy, so I really love this healthier option, which only adds broth.

You can probably guess what I use to make it all come together. The immersion blender strikes again. After all of the ingredients are done roasting, you simmer them together in a large pot with the chicken broth and some added spices. Then puree with an immersion blender until it reaches your desired consistency.

The end result is a creamy, delicious and ridiculously healthy soup. It is a perfect fit for the fall and bursting with flavor.