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Indian-Spiced Butternut Squash Soup with Yogurt
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In his book “Bollywood Kitchen,” filmmaker Sri Rao offers a pureed butternut squash soup with flavors that are bold and vibrant, yet comforting. Our adaptation, like his, includes fresh ginger and warm spices to complement the natural sweetness of squash. But because butternut often has a one-note flavor, we include carrots for earthiness and depth. A spoonful of yogurt and a some spiced pumpkin seeds adds color and texture.
4
Servings
Tip
Don't bring the soup to a full simmer after adding the yogurt. Simmering will cause the yogurt to curdle.
1 hour
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 -pound butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into ½-inch chunks (4 cups)
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into ½-inch chunks
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
Kosher salt
1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 to ¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper, divided
1/2 cup shelled pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
1/2 cup plain whole-milk yogurt, plus more to serve
Ingredients
-
2
tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
-
2
-pound butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into ½-inch chunks (4 cups)
-
2
medium carrots, peeled and cut into ½-inch chunks
-
1
medium yellow onion, chopped
-
Kosher salt
-
1
tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger
-
1½
teaspoons ground cumin
-
1
teaspoon ground coriander
-
½
to ¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper, divided
-
½
cup shelled pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
-
½
cup plain whole-milk yogurt, plus more to serve
Directions
-
01In a large pot over medium-high, heat 2 tablespoons oil until barely smoking. Add the squash, carrots and 1 teaspoons salt, then cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash begins to brown, about 4 minutes. Add the onion and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion has softened, 3 to 4 minutes.
-
02Stir in the ginger, cumin, coriander, ¼ teaspoon of cayenne and ½ teaspoons salt, then cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in 5 cups water and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until a skewer inserted into the squash meets no resistance, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool, uncovered, for about 15 minutes.
-
03Meanwhile, in a 10-inch skillet over medium, stir together the remaining 1 teaspoon oil, the remaining ¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne, the pumpkin seeds and ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until toasted and fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
-
04In a blender and working in batches, puree the squash mixture and its cooking liquid, processing until mostly smooth, 15 to 30 seconds. Return the pureed soup to the pot. Stir in the yogurt and heat over low, stirring occasionally, just until warmed; do not allow the soup to simmer. (Alternatively, use an immersion blender to puree the squash mixture and its cooking liquid directly in the pot, then stir in the yogurt; the soup will not need reheating if pureed in the pot.) Taste and season with salt. Ladle the soup into serving bowls and top with additional yogurt and spiced pumpkin seeds.
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Reviews
January 5, 2023
Flavorful and Easy to Make
This soup was flavorful and super easy to make. The hardest part was cutting up the squash.
Hi Jodi -
I probably wouldn't use acorn squash here. Acorn squash is inherently more stringy and watery than butternut squash which is not ideal for soup. I'd stick to roasting acorn squash. Have you tried our recipe for Roasted Acorn Squash with Browned-Butter Orange Vinaigrette?
Best,
The Milk Street Team
I just made this with sweet meat winter squash from my garden and it was delicious! I finished the soup with 2 TBSP of red wine vinegar, and topped a serving with a little diced Canadian bacon and a sprinkle of parmesan, instead of yogurt. Even my boyfriend, who does not like squash, loved it!
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Your First Issue
I made this recipe exactly as written and it's delicious! It seems somewhat high in sodium (if it serves four, that's a teaspoon of salt per serving) but it doesn't taste too salty.