Butternut Squash and Cider Soup

Butternut squash and autumn/winter go hand-in-hand.  This rich, creamy soup is seasoned with a somewhat unusual ingredient - apple cider.  Make sure to use a non-spiced cider, otherwise those spices will come through in your final product.  Serve with a loaf of crusty bread (or sandwiches, as shown here) and don't forget the apple!

Butternut Squash and Cider Soup

1 shallot, sliced

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 cup water

3 cups peeled, seeded and cubed butternut squash (about 1 large squash)

1/2 cup reduced sodium chicken broth

3/4 cup plain apple cider

1/4 cup reduced fat or fat free sour cream

1/2 tsp. kosher salt or more to taste

1/2 a Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apple, unpeeled, cored and finely diced

Cracked black pepper

Heat a medium saucepan over low heat.  Add the shallot, garlic and water and cook until the shallot and garlic are softened, being careful not to let them burn, 3 - 5 minutes.  Add the squash and chicken broth and bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat, cover and simmer until the squash is soft, about 20 - 25 minutes.

Carefully pour into a blender; this should be done in batches.  Make sure the lid is cracked, otherwise you could end up with a very nasty steam explosion.  Cover the lid with a towel and puree until smooth.  Add the cider, sour cream and salt and blend until well-combined.  The soup can be made ahead up to this point.  Reheat over low heat.  Season with additional salt if needed.

Ladle the soup into four bowls.  Garnish with the diced apple and cracked black pepper.  Serve with a loaf of crusty bread.

NOTE:  3/4 tsp. kosher salt seemed like an appropriate amount to me.  However, you can always choose to use more.

For a variation, try toasting pecans.  Chop them reasonably fine and sprinkle on top of the soup.

If you are not a fan of sour cream, there are other ways to add silkiness to the soup.  You can use a higher fat content milk (like whole), half-and-half and for ultimate decadence, heavy cream.  Just be mindful that you should slowly add the liquid until the soup is of a consistency you desire.

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