my butternut squash soup

by Sharon Santoni

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I don’t know why it took me so very long, but I only recently discovered that I don’t have to peel a pumpkin or a squash when making soup.   This discovery has changed my life…. well OK not my life, but my soup making habits certainly!

Here is our current favourite, and by favourite I mean I have made this soup every week for the past month and a half!  Butternut squash and celeriac or branch celery ( or both!)

Recipes do not come any easier than this   …..

Wash the butternut squash and cut off the top and bottom.   Cut in quarters lengthwise then scoop out the few seeds and surrounding filaments.  Chop the squash into large cubes   Peel an onion and a garlic clove, chop.   Wash a couple of celery branches, chop into small pieces.  If using the celeriac then peel, and chop into cubes.  You are looking overall for more squash than celery, so adapt quantities accordingly.

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Drop the vegetables into a saucepan with a knob of butter and let everything cook gently for about ten minutes.  Now add a bayleaf, some chopped parsley, then cover the vegetables with hot chicken stock, or if you prefer then just hot water.  Salt and pepper.

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Cook for about 25 minutes until everything is thoroughly soft.  Remove the bayleaf, mix in a blender, add some milk if it is too thick and adjust the seasoning.

 

I like to serve bowls of this soup with a single sage leaf lying on the top, just because the grey green sage looks so lovely against the pale mustard soup.[blank]

 

37 comments

Susan Libertiny November 18, 2013 - 5:40 pm

Wonderful! This is one of my all time favorite soups. I like to use a little white wine in my recipe. Thanks for reminding me that I need to get some squash ASAP.
Cheers,
Susan

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Emm November 18, 2013 - 6:03 pm

Agreed that peeling raw butternut squash is a *chore*, but am I missing something — what happens to the peel in your version, is it cooked into the soup? I like the celery/celeriac addition, and I use some turmeric as well.

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Debbie Freitag November 18, 2013 - 6:41 pm

This recipe looks wonderful. I just made some homemade chicken stock yesterday, now I know what I'm going to make for dinner tomorrow. Thank you for sharing.

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Madonna/aka/Ms Lemon of Make Mine Lemon November 18, 2013 - 7:25 pm

I really like butternut squash soup, but I do not know celeriac. I read so much about it last year and I promised to make it this year. Thanks for the reminder. btw – I love your cooking/recipes – everyone thinks French cooking is so fussy, but I find it brilliant and easy.

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Anonymous November 18, 2013 - 7:59 pm

Also been bust making soup. It's no hardship to cut your squash/ pumpkin in to large slices and roast with olive oil and black pepper on a tray in the oven. Then you can simply peel off the skin when the flesh goes soft. Add to stock and follow the above recipe.

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Don De Hogar November 18, 2013 - 8:37 pm

Come autumn to this part of the world, I'll certainly try this recipe. Love the "don't-need-to-peel" bit.

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Christine @ Antique Homes & Lifestyle November 18, 2013 - 9:29 pm

What a great recipe. I love Butternut Squash Soup. I usually buy the organic pre-made soup but I think this recipe is worth a try in my crock-pot. So easy! Thanks for sharing.

Christine

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Magnolia Verandah November 18, 2013 - 10:40 pm

Pumpkin soup my favourite.

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notchke November 19, 2013 - 4:25 am

My favorite soup. I use two apples instead of celery and roast all with Olive Oil in the oven until soft. Never thought of leaving the skin on until flesh is soft. How much easier that is!! Thanks.
Nina in Michigan

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Rambling Tart November 19, 2013 - 6:09 am

Don't you just LOVE not having to peel veggies?!! It's made my soup-making life happy too. 🙂 This sounds marvelously comforting. 🙂

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Anonymous November 19, 2013 - 6:56 am

I have just recently come across your blog, and I am enjoying it so much. Beautiful photography! I love the views of your country house and of the cottage. We have visited Paris three times and have been to the south of France twice, but never to your area. Maybe next time we come to France we will come that way. Thanks for the inspiration.
Linda (Seattle Washington)

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martinealison November 19, 2013 - 11:43 am

Bonjour,

Que du plaisir, des saveurs et des couleurs… très automnales…
Gros bisous

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Colleen Taylor November 19, 2013 - 4:12 pm

I am so going to try this today! Thank you for the recipe Sharon!

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La Contessa November 19, 2013 - 4:24 pm

THAT LOOKS very easy……..I always am timid about cutting squash as I think I will slice my finger!But you say I do not have to peel the skin off?Does it float to the top?Or we eat it it I suppose!I shall make it today!Will report in tomorrow!MERCI!

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Sarah November 19, 2013 - 4:26 pm

I didn't know you didn't have to peel the squash either for soup. You live and learn! 🙂

I really need a blender. I just have a hand held one and it can't blitz like a proper blender.

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Pura Vida November 19, 2013 - 7:15 pm

can't wait to try this recipe…big winter storms this weekend so perfect time. I love to toast sage leaves as a delicious garnish for this soup

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peggybraswell November 19, 2013 - 9:59 pm

great recipe + how I love soup. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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Lissy Parker November 19, 2013 - 10:16 pm

I cant wait to try this soup over the holidays!
xo, Lissy

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Nancy November 20, 2013 - 4:51 pm

Thank you for creating such a special blog!

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Emilie Pirrone November 20, 2013 - 7:42 pm

I love it when a plan comes together ! It is all so lovely. I notice a new font as well. Love it all.

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Pamela November 20, 2013 - 7:49 pm

My friend just shared your blog with me – lucky me! Enjoying the beautiful photos and all that goes with it. I find myself sitting here with a smile on my face as I read your delightful blogs. How lovely is all of this “blogging business”!! Love it! 🙂

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Sandy Leveque November 21, 2013 - 12:06 am

I’m in shock that butternut squash doesn’t have to be peeled!! I’ve passed it over so many times in the shops because I don’t want to maim myself whilst peeling it. THANK YOU!

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Pat lorenz November 21, 2013 - 1:36 am

I loved your other site and couldn’t imagine anything better, but you have outdone yourself. Your photos are gorgeous!

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Chris Hooker November 21, 2013 - 6:14 am

Congratulations, Sharon! A new and undoubtedly laborious transition into a new blog. So far, so great. Love the photos and am going to make Butternut squash soup tomorrow!
I am finally organizing my over 1000 photos from our trip. They appeared on iPhotos all over the map, intertwined with 20,000 others! I must take a photo organizing day at Apple! I am seriously thinking about a return trip this summer…I can’t get the fabulous-ness of our trip out of my head! Thank you for the umpteenth time for all you do! All the best to you and your family from California…anyone you are close to coming to California? Smile…
Big Hugs, Chris

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Susan Ferguson November 21, 2013 - 10:59 am

Thanks for your beautiful blog. It’s hard to imagine that you can improve on the original but look forward to seeing the new you. Thanks for sharing so much beauty.

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Wendy November 21, 2013 - 12:59 pm

I have so enjoyed your blog and someday I plan to go on one of your brocante tours! It is on my bucket list!! Thanks for sharing with myself and many others your life.

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Catherine Polinard November 21, 2013 - 1:33 pm

I love your website. Thank you for sharing.

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Lee November 21, 2013 - 4:18 pm

Love the sounds of this soup…… and, I really like the looks of your blog. Can’t wait for more postings. The trip sounds so fantastic. Have my fingers crossed and looking longingly at my suitcase.

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Donna Heinzelmann November 21, 2013 - 9:16 pm

Just confirmed email for sign up!

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Melanie Giolitti November 22, 2013 - 2:45 am

Love your website, both old and new. It’s a mini-vacation every time I visit it.

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Melanie Giolitti November 22, 2013 - 2:49 am

Confirming my email subscription!

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Barb Noble November 22, 2013 - 3:49 am

I have loved your blog for some time now. I look forward to seeing all of the new inspiration you give us! And for the chance to meet you and visit your beautiful part of France, I just confirmed my subscription.
Thanks Sharon!
Barb

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Barb Noble November 22, 2013 - 3:57 am

Liked and shared your new blog on Facebook! Love the look!
Barb

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kimwithak December 2, 2013 - 5:36 am

Oh my word this is delish!
How can something so easy be so good??!
Just want to let you know I appreciate your sharing of recipes so much!
I’ve made a few different ones now and have quite a few recipe cards that start off with “My French Country Home”.

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Pamela November 4, 2014 - 1:43 pm

When I make any soup I add a teaspoon of curry powder when I sauté the vegetables & always with pumpkin soup & a dollop of sour cream to serve adds a special something.

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roasted pumpkin with feta & pistachios - MY FRENCH COUNTRY HOME October 19, 2021 - 6:18 pm

[…] I shared my favourite squash soup recipe, and that has since become a standard seasonal favourite. I’m always looking for new ideas to […]

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b thompson October 20, 2021 - 8:39 am

Love butternut squash soup, especially with my secret weapon: we always smoke turkeys in our Little Chief before roasting, the smoke permeates the meat & even the stuffing. I make stock from the carcass, and when used in squash soup – oh my goodness, SO scrumptious, with the smokiness.

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