Chipotle Chili Butternut Squash Soup is Hot

I'm not exactly sure when it happened, but at some point in the last several years, ginger butternut squash soup became America's #1 vegetarian soup of choice.

Ginger butternut squash soup is everywhere. Google it, and you'll get hundreds of recipes (I stopped counting after the eighth full page load). Every vegetarian cookbook has a recipe for it. It's the go-to soup for Thanksgiving holidays and dinner parties, and 9 times out of 10, it's the only vegetarian soup available at cafeterias and supermarkets food courts. I've seen brawls break out in Trader Joe's as people frantically try to scoop up as many cartons of butternut squash soup as possible.

I understand the love. I made my first pot of ginger butternut squash soup about 15 years ago from a vegetarian cookbook I bought right after we moved to North Carolina. It was a revelation: creamy, refreshing, soothing. I have made that soup so many times, the recipe is etched in my brain along with my telephone number and birth date.



Yet, my love has grown weary. I'm tired of ginger butternut squash soup. I need something bolder, zestier, hotter! So for today's butternut squash soup recipe, I swapped my gentle ginger for assertive chipotle chilis in adobo sauce. Smoky, fiery chipotle chilis are the perfect antidote to boring butternut squash soup. With cilantro, onions, and cumin, this soup has a decidedly southwest flair, so I won't need to tell you that big hunks of warm, buttery cornbread are the only accompaniment it needs.

How about you? Doing anything different with butternut squash soup lately?

Chipotle Chili Butternut Squash Soup
Serves 6-8
Printable recipe.

Chipotle chilis in adobo sauce can be found in the Mexican food section of most major supermarkets or at specialty Mexican markets.

1 (1 1/2-2 pound) butternut squash (about 4 cups cooked)
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided, plus a little for brushing the squash
1 yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
3 celery stalks, chopped (about 1 cup)
2 carrots, peeled and chopped (about 1 cup)
4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
2 tablespoons chopped chipotle chilis in adobo sauce, (about 2 chilis tablespoon)
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1. Position a rack in the center of the oven, and preheat to 400 degrees F. Slice butternut squash in half. Scoop out the seeds and discard. Brush the flesh with a little bit of olive oil. Roast flesh side down on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet for 40-45 minutes or until tender when pierced with a fork. Let cool slightly before scooping out flesh. Discard skin.

2. In a deep pot over medium-high heat, warm oil. Saute onions, celery and carrots for 5 to 7 minutes, or until softened and lightly browned. Add the cooked squash and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Add chilis, cumin, and cilantro. Turn off heat, and let cool 10 minutes before pureeing. Taste it. If you’d like it spicier, then add more chilis.

3. Working in batches, puree the soup in a blender until smooth, and return to the pot over low heat. Stir occasionally until the soup is thoroughly heated, about 10 minutes. If you prefer it thinner, then add a bit more broth or warm water, and stir well. Season with salt and pepper as desired. Garnish individual servings with fresh cilantro, if desired.

You might also like these recipes featuring chipotle chilis in adobo sauce:
Sweet Chipotle Glazed Baby Back Ribs recipe from Sippity Sup!
Chipotle Turkey, Black Bean, and Corn Soup recipe from Soup Chick
Healthy Chipotle Chicken Chili with Spiced Tortillas recipe from Food Blogga
Beef Enchiladas with Chipotle-Pasilla Chili Gravy recipe from Homesick Texan

Rich, Spicy, Velvety Butternut Squash and Chestnut Soup

Last week I admitted being overly zealous upon spotting the first canned pumpkin of the season. You know, buying six or eight cans of the stuff in October only to have it collecting dust in my pantry in February.

Here's what I didn't tell you: Sitting next to those cans of pumpkin are three boxes of vacuum-sealed chestnuts. After waiting weeks for the them to show up at Trader Joe's last November, I bought four boxes. Then my mom sent me four more in a Christmas care-package. Eight boxes of chestnuts is too much for anyone.

Chestnut stuffing is a decidedly Thanksgiving-only food, so over the last few weeks, we've enjoyed savory chestnut pancakes, easy pasta with chestnuts, pancetta and marsala wine, and lots of butternut squash and chestnut soup. With 20 chestnuts per batch, this soup is ideal for using up those leftover chestnuts. You'll love the scents of spicy cinnamon, nutmeg and fresh sage wafting through your kitchen as the soup bubbles away, but not as much as you'll love the creamy texture and rich, soothing flavors. Although this soup is delicious the day it's made, it's even better the next day and makes tasty leftovers.

I actually have three more large butternut squash sitting on my counter top waiting to be used. Maybe I should go to Trader Joe's and see if they have anymore chestnuts.

Velvety Butternut Squash and Chestnut Soup
Serves 6-8
Printable recipe.

1 (1 1/2-2 pound) butternut squash (about 4 cups cooked)
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided, plus a little for brushing the squash
1 yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
3 celery stalks, chopped (about 1 cup)
2 carrots, peeled and chopped (about 1 cup)
4 cups water low-sodium vegetable broth
8 ounces of bottled or vacuum packed chestnuts (about 20 chestnuts or 1 cup)
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage, plus extra for garnish
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup whole milk (or half milk, half cream)
1 tablespoon butter at end

1. Position a rack in the center of the oven, and preheat to 400 degrees F. Slice butternut squash in half. Scoop out the seeds and discard. Brush the flesh with a little bit of olive oil. Roast flesh side down on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet for 40-45 minutes or until tender when pierced with a fork. Let cool slightly before scooping out flesh. Discard skin.

2. In a deep pot over medium heat, warm oil. Saute onions, celery and carrots for 5-7 minutes, or until softened and lightly browned. Add the cooked squash and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low, and cook for 5-7 minutes. Add chestnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg and sage. Turn off heat, and let cool 5-10 minutes before pureeing.

3. Working in batches, puree the soup in a blender until smooth and return to the pot over low heat. Add the milk and salt and pepper, and stir occasionally until the soup is thoroughly heated, about 10 minutes. Just prior to serving, stir in 1 tablespoon butter to the soup for added creaminess and depth of flavor. Taste it. Add salt and pepper as necessary. Garnish individual servings with fresh herbs, if desired.

You might also enjoy these recipes featuring chestnuts:
Italian Lentil and Chestnut Stew recipe from Mostly Eating
Creamy Cauliflower and Chestnut Soup recipe from Food Blogga
Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts and Pancetta recipe from Angie's Recipes
Rigatoni with Chestnuts, Pancetta and Marsala Wine recipe from Food Blogga
Duck Tagine with Chestnuts recipe from Hunter, Angler, Gardener, Cook

Want to Lose Weight? Forget New Year's Resolutions and Start Making Soup.

New Year's resolutions. They're nothing but bunkum.

"Resolve to lose weight." It sounds real enough. It's a statement made in the dark of winter when we are most vulnerable. The holiday season romanced us with its twinkling lights, sparkling cocktails (can you say 400-calorie-martini?), and carb-heavy desserts. We indulge. We regret. Then on January 1st we commit to a diet.

By January 10th, most of us (read I) rummage through the pantry closet for something, anything chocolatey, salty, sweet, or preferably all three. We spot the bag of blue corn tortilla chips hidden behind the oatmeal and tell ourselves, "These are pretty healthy." We eat a few. Close the bag. Re-open it. Eat a few more. Next thing we know, half the bag is gone. Then we're thinking, "Well, hell, I already ruined my New Year's resolution. I might as well eat 'em all now."

If any diet worked, then why do magazines promote them on their covers every month, every year? Because they know that we are fallible and that living a life of extremes isn't attainable for most. Consider some of these weight loss claims from popular women's magazines: "Melt 10 LBS Fast!" "Shed One Size! In Just 2 Weeks!" "Shrink Your Belly!" And these are just the ones on my coffee table.

I say, "No." No to fast fixes, unrealistic goals, and tasteless foods. No to diets.

I say, "Yes" to moderation. After 30-some-odd years, I have found that it's the only way for me to stay healthy and fit and sane. I eat all foods, but in moderation. I eat meat and cookies and drink an occasional martini. I also exercise regularly, in moderation; most days for 30-45 minutes.

I spent too many years obsessing about my weight, about exercise, about eating. My resolution this year is to live life, enjoy food, and stay healthy by forming and maintaining habits I can realistically sustain.



I also resolve to eat a lot of soup, which will be easy. Broth-based soup filled with veggies are nutritious and filling. Studies have shown that people who eat 1 1/2-2 cups of vegetable soup before a meal consume about 135 fewer calories at the meal.

Lately, I have been eating my Easy Butternut Squash and Kale Soup. It's chock-full of vitamin-rich veggies and fiber-rich beans. With both winter squash and dark, leafy greens at their peak, this soup is ideal for the cold winter months.

Sure, I eat pretty well, exercise, and eat a lot of soup. I also have bad days when I feel awful about the  way I look or regret eating mindlessly. But I know that eating well is more than just a resolution. It's changing the way you think about food and giving yourself healthy yet delicious options from which to choose. That's why foods like soup are so great to have in the house -- if you've taken time to make something healthy and delicious, it's a whole lot easier to eat something that will make you feel good about yourself.

Easy Butternut Squash, Kale, and Chickpea Soup
Serves 6
Note: This is a vegetarian soup. If you omit the sprinkling of cheese on top, then it's vegan. 

Print recipe only here.

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
3 celery stalks, sliced, preferably with some leaves
1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed (about 3-4 cups)
1 (14.5 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
7 cups low-sodium vegetable broth (more if you prefer it soupier)
1 small bunch kale (dinosaur or curly), washed and thinly sliced (about 5 cups)
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
salt, to taste
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
grated Parmesan cheese, for sprinkling on top

1. In a large pot over medium heat, warm olive oil. Add onion, carrots, and celery, and saute 5-7 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add the squash, chickpeas, and broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce to low and cook 5-7 minutes, or until squash is tender but not mushy. Add kale, crushed red pepper, and salt. Heat through, about 3 minutes. Stir in herbs. Taste it, and adjust seasonings as desired. Serve hot, garnishing each bowl with a sprinkling of grated cheese.

You might also enjoy these soups from Food Blogga:
Healthy Chili
Italian Lentil Soup
Italian Escarole and Bean Soup
Curried Red Lentil, Chickpea, and Red Kale Soup

Here are more wonderful soups featuring butternut squash and/or kale:
Butternut Squash Soup recipe at The Perfect Pantry
Curried Butternut Squash Soup recipe at The Garden of Eating
Butternut Squash Chili with Kale recipe at Dani Spies
Spicy Kale, Chorizo, and Squash Soup recipe at Eggs on Sunday
Kale and Apple Soup recipe at Apartment Therapy, The Kitchn