After the full meals during the celebratory months, the remaining dark winter days deserve a lighter meal with a delicious soup. Butternut Squash soup will stick with you and provides lots of nutrients. This one is super tasty! And the lime really lifts the squash’s natural heaviness up into a truly delightful experience.
Ingredients
- 2 cups vegetable stock or filtered water
- 1 medium-sized fresh butternut squash, peeled, seeds removed, and roughly diced
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 1 Granny Smith Apple, cored and roughly chopped.
- 1 sprig of fresh sage (or dried). Thyme can also be used.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
- Pinch of ground cinnamon and nutmeg
- 1/2 cup canned unsweetened coconut milk
- Juice of 1 Lime
Directions
- Place all ingredients into a pot, except for coconut milk and lime.
- In a slow cooker, cook for 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. For a pressure cooker, cook for about 8 to 10 minutes on high pressure. Squash should easily mash with a fork.
- At end of the cooking period remove the sprig of sage.
- Use an immersion blender or a traditional blender to puree the soup.
- Add the coconut milk to the soup, stir to fully blend. Warm if necessary.
- Add the lime juice to taste. Add salt if needed.
- Pair with your favorite dinner rolls for a satisfying meal.
Squash has many health benefits. Not only is it rich in fiber, it also boasts many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. For instance, beta carotine (which the body turns into vitamin A), lutein, and zeaxanthin support healthy eyes. High levels of vitamin A and C support the immune system, magnesium and potassium reduce high blood pressure and the risk of heart attack and stroke. Squash is also low in calories but high in fiber, which helps manage weight by contributing to feelings of fullness while nourishing gut bacteria and aid digestion.
Spices offer a variety of health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Besides making food more flavorful, adding spices to cooking can also have a positive impact on health.