I was tempted to call this Winter Squash Soup ‘Pottimaron squash and Gruyère soup’ but thought that, like me, you may never have heard of that squash variety. And it isn’t crucial anyway; you can use any winter squash that you like or have on hand. But if you happen upon a Pottimaron, snatch it up because it’s perfect for this.
That’s one of the things I love about having a CSA share. I’m introduced to new-to-me fruits and vegetables and get to learn what to do with them. I also appreciate the weekly farm newsletter we get, with a list of what our share will include and a recipe or two. This winter squash soup is a loosely adapted from one of them.
How to Make Winter Squash Soup:
It’s a three step process, all of them simple: first you’ll make the stock from what you scrape from the squash and several aromatics; next you’ll roast the squash while the stock simmers; then to finish, you’ll combine everything together (plus some cream and cheese).
The method for making the vegetable stock was new to me, but I love it. The seeds and strings infuse a subtle, nutty flavor. That coupled with the rich, buttery flavor of Gruyère and cream make for a spectacular soup.
On occasion, I’ll puree a soup, but generally I like it to have some texture. Once the Potimarron squash was roasted, the flesh fell apart easily so I didn’t blend this soup at all. If you use a firmer squash, like a butternut, you may want to puree the soup with an immersion blender or in batches with a standard blender (as with this Tomato Bisque). Remember, with a standard blender, not to put the lid over hot liquids and try to blend. The hot liquid will explode out (experience speaking). Instead, cover the top with a towel.
Winter Squash Soup with Gruyère
Ingredients
For the Stock:
- seeds and membrane from the winter squash
- 2 carrots diced
- 3 celery ribs diced
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 bay leaf
- 6 leaves fresh sage
- handful fresh parsley
- 3 fresh thyme branches
- 8 cups water
For the Soup
- 1 pumpkin or winter squash weighing 2 1/2 to 3 pounds
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 6 to 7 cups stock (recipe above)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 3 ounces Gruyère shredded
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
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To make the stock, cut winter squash in half. Scrape seeds, and membrane out with a large metal spoon. Place what you've scraped out in a large soup pot. Add remaining stock ingredients (carrots through water) and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer 25 minutes. Strain and set aside.
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Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees °F.
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Line a large baking dish with parchment paper. Place the squash halves, cut side down, in baking dish. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until skin is blistered and flesh is soft. When cool enough to handle, peel off and discard the skin.
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Melt butter in soup pot. Add onion; cook and stir over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add cooked squash and stock and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered for 20 minutes. If desired, puree some of all of the soup with a standard or immersion blender. Remove from heat and stir in heavy cream and cheese.
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Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve.
What a great idea for using the pith and seeds! I am going to fish mine out of the compost container!
Thanks, Diana!
What a great idea for using the pitch and seeds! I am going to fish mine out of the compost container!
What about this. Leaving the carrots big in the stock so they can be fished out and then added to and pureed in the soup. Do you think that would add another dimension or be over the top?
I think that would be just fine, Rick. My guess is that adding the carrot back would make the soup more toward sweet than savory.
It looks so delicious! I love it! 🙂
Put Gruyere in/on anything and I’m sold! Looks DELICIOUS!
Me too, Carla!
I love winter squash soups! They are so good! Your post makes me want to make one right away! 🙂
Thanks, Julia!
I had such a hard time when I moved to Australia when talking about winter squash. It doesn’t exist in Australia but pumpkins do of all colours, even Butternut!
I’d love your soup, even in the summer!
Really, Maureen? I had no idea that winter squash weren’t common in Australia. Thank you for such a kind comment. 😉
I am all about making soups right now.. they are just perfect for this weather. Definitely will be recreating this winter squash and gruyere soup, it looks delicious and I bet it tastes even better!
Thanks so much, Thalia. Looking forward to your version!
I love soup with texture too! I don’t mind a smooth soup but can’t eat too much of it whereas one with lots of different bits stays interesting! 😀
I completely agree, Lorraine. A little bit of smooth soup is great, but I don’t like to make a meal out of it.
I’ve seen that kind of squash before, but I definitely would not have recognized the name! And I agree completely re CSAs: such a great way to get to know new vegetables. This soup sounds so good for a chilly, rainy night!
I agree Eileen – nothing like piping hot soup when the weather is dreary. 😉
Oooh, I’ve never heard of that squash! I roasted an acorn today though – I wish I’d saved it for this! It looks and sounds amazing!
Acorn squash would be perfect for this, Amanda. xx
I’ve never heard of Pottimaron squash! But, I do love learning something new, so that’s great to know. Marissa, I LOVE the top down shot of the stock pot! Gorgeous! This soup sounds delish!
Thank you, Kristi. Glad to know that I’m not alone.