This creamy delicata squash soup is the perfect comfort food, combining the rich flavors of roasted squash with a velvety, smooth texture. Ideal for a cozy night in or a festive dinner party, this soup is bound to impress with its subtle sweetness and creamy consistency.
Delicata squash might not be a staple in every kitchen, but it's worth seeking out. When you visit the supermarket, look for its unique oblong shape and pale yellow skin with green stripes. Ensure you pick up a good quality vegetable broth and heavy whipping cream to achieve that creamy texture. Don’t forget the butter and a fresh onion to enhance the flavor profile.
Ingredients For Delicata Creamy Squash Soup
Delicata squash: A unique oblong-shaped squash that has a pale yellow skin with green stripes. It's tender and has a sweet flavor when roasted.
Onion: Adds a foundational depth of flavor to the soup with its aromatic qualities.
Vegetable broth: The base liquid that enhances the overall taste and makes the soup rich and flavorful.
Heavy whipping cream: Contributes to the creamy and velvety texture of the soup.
Butter: Adds richness and helps to soften the onion, enhancing its flavor.
Salt: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the natural flavors of the ingredients.
Ground black pepper: Adds a hint of spice and complexity to the soup.
One reader, Kaila Arana says:
This delicata creamy squash soup is a delightful blend of flavors. The sweetness of the squash pairs perfectly with the rich creaminess. It's easy to make and incredibly comforting. A must-try for any soup lover!
Mastering the Art of Creamy Squash Soup
How to cut delicata squash: Cut the squash lengthwise and scoop out the seeds before baking. How to bake squash: Preheat the oven, place the squash cut sides down in a baking dish with water, cover with foil, and bake until tender. How to soften onions: Melt butter in a saucepan, add chopped onions, and cook over low heat until softened but not browned. How to puree soup: Use a blender or food processor to blend the soup until smooth. How to season soup: Add salt and ground black pepper to taste after pureeing.
How To Make Delicata Creamy Squash Soup
Savor a comforting bowl of this squash soup that’s simmered with vegetable broth and heavy cream, then pureed until rich and smooth, for a creamy side!
Serves:
Ingredients
- 3delicata squash,halved lengthwise, seeded
- 1onion,chopped
- 3cupsvegetable broth
- 1½cupsheavy whipping cream
- 2tbspbutter
- salt,to taste
- ground black pepper,to taste
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
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Place the squash, cut sides down, in a baking dish. Add ⅛-inch water in a baking dish, then cover with foil.
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Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until tender. Cool.
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In a large saucepan, melt the butter. Add the onion and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until the onion is softened but not brown.
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Scrape the squash out of the flesh and add to onions. Add the stock and heavy cream. Cook over moderate heat for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Puree the soup in a blender or food processor. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 405.55kcal
- Fat: 31.41g
- Saturated Fat: 19.46g
- Trans Fat: 0.19g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 8.89g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.29g
- Carbohydrates: 32.43g
- Fiber: 4.74g
- Sugar: 3.14g
- Protein: 4.05g
- Cholesterol: 110.03mg
- Sodium: 1158.95mg
- Calcium: 151.45mg
- Potassium: 1015.48mg
- Iron: 2.07mg
- Vitamin A: 383.98µg
- Vitamin C: 31.10mg
Pro Tip for Perfecting Your Squash Soup
When roasting the delicata squash, make sure to place them cut sides down in the baking dish. This allows the squash to steam and become tender without drying out. Adding a bit of water to the dish and covering it with foil helps to create a moist cooking environment, ensuring the squash cooks evenly and retains its natural sweetness.
Time-Saving Hacks for Delicata Squash Soup
Pre-roast the squash: Roast the delicata squash in advance and store in the fridge. This cuts down on prep time when you're ready to make the soup.
Use pre-chopped onions: Save time by using pre-chopped onions available at most grocery stores.
Immersion blender: Use an immersion blender directly in the pot to puree the soup, avoiding the need to transfer hot liquid to a blender.
Batch cooking: Double the recipe and freeze half for a quick meal later. This way, you only need to cook once but eat twice.
Substitute Ingredients For Delicata Creamy Squash Soup Recipe
delicata squash - Substitute with butternut squash: Butternut squash has a similar sweetness and creamy texture when cooked, making it a great alternative.
delicata squash - Substitute with acorn squash: Acorn squash also has a sweet flavor and smooth texture that works well in soups.
onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder and slightly sweeter flavor, which can enhance the soup's taste.
onion - Substitute with leeks: Leeks offer a subtle onion flavor with a hint of sweetness, adding depth to the soup.
vegetable broth - Substitute with chicken broth: Chicken broth can add a richer flavor, though it will make the dish non-vegetarian.
vegetable broth - Substitute with mushroom broth: Mushroom broth provides an umami flavor that enhances the soup's depth while keeping it vegetarian.
heavy whipping cream - Substitute with coconut milk: Coconut milk offers a creamy texture and a slight sweetness, making it a good dairy-free alternative.
heavy whipping cream - Substitute with cashew cream: Cashew cream is a vegan option that provides a rich and creamy consistency similar to heavy cream.
butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can be used to sauté the onions and adds a different but pleasant flavor.
butter - Substitute with ghee: Ghee has a higher smoke point and a nutty flavor, making it a good alternative for cooking.
Elevate Your Meal: Presentation Tips
Serve smaller portion sizes: Present the delicata creamy squash soup in elegant, shallow bowls to highlight its rich, velvety texture. Use a ladle to pour a modest amount, ensuring the soup doesn't overwhelm the dish.
Use decoration: Garnish with a drizzle of heavy whipping cream in a spiral pattern. Add a few drops of vegetable broth reduction for contrast and a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh herbs like chives or parsley.
Add texture: Top the soup with crispy onion strings or roasted delicata squash seeds to add a delightful crunch and enhance the visual appeal.
Incorporate color: Place a small dollop of bright green herb oil or a few microgreens in the center of the soup to create a vibrant contrast against the creamy orange hue.
Use elegant dishware: Serve the soup in fine china or modern, minimalist bowls to elevate the presentation. Choose a color that complements the soup, such as white or a soft pastel.
Create height: Add a small, delicate butter tuile or a thin slice of toasted baguette standing upright in the center of the bowl to add dimension and sophistication.
Balance flavors: Finish with a light sprinkle of salt and freshly ground black pepper just before serving to enhance the flavors and provide a subtle, aromatic touch.
Serve with accompaniments: Pair the soup with a side of warm, crusty bread or a small salad of mixed greens dressed lightly with a citrus vinaigrette to complement the creamy richness of the soup.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Squash Soup
Oven: Used to bake the delicata squash until tender.
Baking dish: Holds the squash and water while baking in the oven.
Aluminum foil: Covers the baking dish to help steam the squash.
Large saucepan: Used to cook the onions and combine all ingredients for the soup.
Knife: Essential for cutting the squash and onion.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for cutting the squash and onion.
Blender: Purees the soup to achieve a creamy consistency.
Measuring cups: Measures the vegetable broth and heavy whipping cream accurately.
Wooden spoon: Used for stirring the ingredients in the saucepan.
Ladle: Helps in serving the soup into bowls.
Bowls: Used for serving the finished soup.
Spatula: Useful for scraping the squash out of its skin.
Preserving Your Delicata Creamy Squash Soup
- To store leftover delicata squash soup, allow it to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4-5 days.
- When reheating refrigerated soup, pour the desired amount into a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. Adjust the consistency with additional vegetable broth or cream if needed.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the soup for up to 3 months. To freeze, pour the cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or resealable bags, leaving some space at the top for expansion. Label the containers with the date and contents.
- To thaw frozen soup, transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight. Alternatively, you can place the frozen container in a bowl of cold water to speed up the thawing process.
- When reheating frozen soup, pour the thawed soup into a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until warmed through. You may need to add additional broth or cream to achieve the desired consistency, as the soup may thicken after freezing.
- Pro tip: Portion the soup into individual serving sizes before freezing for easy reheating and to avoid having to thaw a large batch at once.
Reviving Leftover Delicata Creamy Squash Soup
Reheat the delicata squash soup in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until it reaches the desired temperature. This method allows you to control the heat and prevent the cream from curdling or separating.
If you're short on time, you can reheat the soup in the microwave. Transfer the desired portion to a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until it's heated through. Be careful not to overheat, as this can cause the cream to break.
For a creamier texture, add a splash of heavy cream or milk to the soup while reheating. This will help restore the original consistency and richness of the soup.
If the soup has thickened too much during storage, thin it out with a little vegetable broth or water until it reaches the desired consistency.
To enhance the flavor of the reheated soup, consider adding a pat of butter, a sprinkle of fresh herbs, or a dash of spices like nutmeg or cinnamon.
If you have an immersion blender, you can use it to quickly blend the reheated soup directly in the pot. This will help create a smooth and creamy texture, especially if the squash and onions have separated from the liquid during storage.
For a fancy presentation, serve the reheated soup in hollowed-out bread bowls or topped with a dollop of sour cream, croutons, or toasted pumpkin seeds.
Fascinating Trivia About Delicata Squash
A random fact about this recipe is that delicata squash has a thin, edible skin, which means you don't have to peel it before cooking. This makes it a convenient and time-saving ingredient for soups and other dishes.
Budget-Friendly Creamy Squash Soup
This delicata creamy squash soup recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The main ingredients, delicata squash, onion, vegetable broth, and heavy whipping cream, are generally affordable and easily available. The total cost for a household of 4 people is approximately $12-$15 USD. Given its rich flavor and simplicity, I would rate this recipe an 8 out of 10 for cost-effectiveness.
Is This Creamy Squash Soup Healthy?
The delicata creamy squash soup recipe is a comforting and flavorful dish, but it may not be the healthiest option due to its high calorie and fat content. Here's an analysis of the recipe:
- Heavy cream: The recipe calls for 1½ cups of heavy whipping cream, which is high in saturated fat and calories. This can contribute to weight gain and increased risk of heart disease if consumed in excess.
- Butter: While butter adds richness and flavor to the soup, it is also high in saturated fat.
- Vegetable broth: Using vegetable broth instead of chicken or beef broth is a healthier choice, as it is lower in fat and calories.
- Delicata squash: This type of squash is a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it a nutritious addition to the soup.
- Onion: Onions are low in calories and rich in antioxidants, which can help boost the immune system and reduce inflammation.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Swap the heavy cream for a lower-fat alternative, such as half-and-half or evaporated skim milk. This will reduce the overall calorie and fat content of the soup without sacrificing too much creaminess.
- Use olive oil instead of butter to sauté the onions. Olive oil is a healthier fat option and can add a nice depth of flavor to the soup.
- Increase the amount of delicata squash used in the recipe to boost the fiber and nutrient content of the soup.
- Add additional vegetables, such as carrots or celery, to increase the vitamin and mineral content of the soup.
- Use low-sodium vegetable broth to reduce the overall sodium content of the dish.
- Garnish the soup with fresh herbs, such as thyme or rosemary, to add flavor without increasing the calorie or fat content.
Our Editor's Take on This Delightful Soup
This delicata creamy squash soup recipe is a delightful blend of simplicity and rich flavors. Roasting the squash enhances its natural sweetness, while the heavy cream adds a luxurious texture. The use of vegetable broth keeps it light yet flavorful. However, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of cayenne pepper for an extra layer of complexity. The method is straightforward, making it accessible for home cooks. Overall, it's a comforting and elegant dish perfect for autumn.
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Why trust this Delicata Creamy Squash Soup Recipe:
This recipe for delicata squash soup is a must-try because it combines the natural sweetness of delicata squash with the rich creaminess of heavy whipping cream. The onion adds a subtle depth of flavor, while the vegetable broth ensures a smooth, velvety texture. Baking the squash enhances its natural flavors, making this soup both comforting and delicious. Trust this recipe for its simplicity and the perfect balance of ingredients that create a delightful, warming dish.
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