Recipe: Roasted Apple & Squash Soup With Spiced Squash Seeds

from Edible Marin & Wine Country

1 (2-pound) Red Kuri squash

1 large sweet yellow onion, coarsely chopped

1 shallot, peeled and quartered

3 tart apples, peeled and coarsely chopped

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely minced

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons melted butter

¼ cup maple syrup

1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger

1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

¾ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground mace

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Cut the squash in half using a large, thick knife or cleaver. Carefully push down on both ends of the blade, slowly, to cut the squash in half. Scoop out the seeds and reserve for the spiced seed garnish. Place the cut side of each squash on a cutting board. Cut each into wedges. Then carve off the peel of each wedge. Cut the peeled squash into 2-inch pieces.

Place the squash, onions, shallot, apples and ginger in an 11- by 17-inch baking dish and toss together with the oil, melted butter, maple syrup, thyme, ginger and spices. Make sure everything is well combined and coated in the oil and butter. Place in the oven and roast for about 50 minutes, or until a slight char appears on the onions and shallots. Mix the vegetables once during the roasting.

Transfer all of the roasted vegetables, including any drippings, into a large 4- to 6-quart pot, and add the water. Bring the soup to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and carefully blend the mixture, using an immersion blender, until smooth and velvety. Taste the soup and season with additional salt, if needed.

Slowly blend in the heavy cream, if using.

Serve warm, garnished with the spiced squash seeds for a more extravagant meal.

Recipe: Moroccan Carrot & Lentil Soup

From A Cedar Spoon

2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 medium sweet onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1-2 cups peeled and chopped carrots
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 teaspoon coriander
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups red lentils, rinsed until water runs clear
1-15 oz can diced tomatoes
4 cups vegetable broth
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat 2 Tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic until soft, about 2 minutes then add the spices and continue to sauté about 4 minutes. Add the carrots and sauté until carrots are tender, about 10 minutes.

Add the vegetable broth, diced tomatoes and lentils and stir to combine. Simmer on low heat for 20 minutes, or until lentils are tender.

You can eat the soup as is with the chunks of carrots, lentils and tomatoes or you can use a handheld immersion blender or regular blender to create a creamy soup. Sometimes I blend half and keep half chunky.