Butternut soup

Butternut soup, also known as butternut squash soup, is a cozy and comforting meal that is often served during the colder seasons. It has a smooth and velvety texture with subtle sweetness. Besides the heartwarming flavors of the soup, it is also packed with high nutritional value. 

What is butternut squash? Butternut squash is a native to the Americas, which has been cultivated for thousands of years. The country, now known as Mexico, was among the first to grow butternuts. Butternuts were a staple food thanks to their long shelf life and versatility. 

When the Europeans came across the butternut from these regions, they adopted the agricultural practice of growing the butternut squash in their respective countries. Moreover, they also wanted to use this amazing ingredient in their cuisine. The Europeans used butternut squash to make pies, roasted vegetables and even soups. 

Emergence of classic butternut soup

Europeans have been known to make vegetable based soups for centuries. The idea of pureed soups became popular in the 17^th and 18^th centuries, especially in France, where the French chefs began to blend the vegetables and broths to create smooth and velvety texture of soups. 

Butternut soup is a refined dish that became even more popular in the 20^th century, particularly in the United States. Its natural sweetness, smooth texture and rich nutrition made it become a comfort food especially during the colder months. 

Butternut soup with the modern touch

Butternut soup has evolved through the times, this soup is often found in high-end restaurants and homes around the world. Traditional butternut soup uses roasted or simmered butternut, whilst fusion dishes use ginger, herbs and cooking cream.

Since the butternut is loaded with minerals and vitamins, its usage in the form of soup is increasing in popularity for vegetarians and vegans. Butternut squash soup can always be found on the list for the people who are opting for nourishing foods.

Ingredients to make Butternut soup

Butternut squash, Cooking cream, vegetable stock cube, olive oil and water, Cinnamon, nutmeg, paprika, rosemary and salt, onion and apple.

Butternut squash is a creamy and nutty soup. When you add cooking cream to the soup, it produces a rich and velvety flavor. The savoriness of the soup is enhanced with a vegetable stock cube. Warm spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon and paprika add warmth and sweetness.

Rosemary adds an aromatic touch. Onions and apples add contrast to the flavor of the butternut, however they also enrich the sweetness and tartness of the soup. This creates flavors that are comforting and satisfying in autumn and winter months.

Instructions

Prepare the ingredients: Peel the skin of butternut squash, remove the seeds and chop the butternut in 1 inch blocks. Wash the apple, peel the skin and cut the apple in cubes. Grate the onion.

Sauté the onion with spices: Bring a pot to medium low heat. Drizzle the olive oil and add the onion. Sauté the onion for two minutes on medium low heat. Then, add the dry ingredients like cinnamon, nutmeg, paprika, rosemary and salt, stir to mix and continue to sauté the onion for one minute. 

Boil the apple and butternut squash: In the pot with cooked spices, pour one and a half liter of water, or enough water to submerge the apple and the butternut. Boil the ingredients for fifteen minutes on medium high temperature. 

Blend the ingredients: Use an immersion blender to blend the ingredients. Make sure that the blender has a protection to prevent scratching the pot. If the blender has no protection, allow the boiled butternut to cool down, transfer it in a glass pot, or a jug, and blend the ingredients there, and then transfer back into the pot.

Add cooking cream: Once the butternut and spices are blended, pour in the cooking cream and simmer on low heat for five minutes. Close the lid while simmering. Garnish with Fresh herbs to serve.

Expert tips

Roasting the butternut squash will intensify the sweetness and nuttiness of the butternut, however, this recipe has omitted this step to cut down on the cooking time. Adding apple while cooking the soup cuts back on the tartness of the butternut.

Adding cinnamon and nutmeg enhances the warmth of the soup. The coconut milk can be a substitute for the cooking cream, which has a lighter consistency compared to the cooking cream.

The savory butternut soup is often served as an appetizer in a dinner course meal, however, it can also be served as a dessert by enhancing the sweetness by adding brown sugar or maple syrup. 

What can be Served with the Butternut soup?

Crusty breads like baguette, sourdough bread and ciabatta are well matched pairs for the butternut soup. Green salad with arugula, spinach, feta cheese with cranberries or pomegranate seeds. Roasted vegetables like carrots, parsnips, broccoli or sweet potatoes. Apple and pear slices will add a refreshing taste to the tartness of soup. Roasted nuts or seeds will enhance the nutty flavor of the soup.

What is Butternut Soup usually made of?

The butternut soup recipe uses butternut squash, onion, apple, vegetable stock and seasonings like cinnamon, nutmeg and paprika. Either cooking cream or coconut milk is added to enhance the creaminess of the soup. 

Is Butternut Soup good for you?

Butternut is one of the super foods that are packed with fibers, as well as nutrition like essential minerals like potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and manganese, and vitamins like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B1, B3, B6 and B9. It also has anti-oxidants like beta-carotene, which fights against the free-radicals and helps to reduce inflammation in the body.

Why is Butternut called butternut?

The name butternut comes from the smooth texture and nutty taste of the squash. Yes, butternut comes from the squash family and so are the pumpkins.