The Soup From Heaven

We all have our favorite recipes, those we make over and over.   This soup is at the top of that list for me.  As soon as the leaves begin turning color and there's a nip in the air, I start making this and it becomes a regular menu item around here until spring.  I've given the recipe out countless times and everyone who's had it, loves it.  Packaged in jars, along with a loaf of homemade bread, it makes a nice gift at Christmas.  The last recipient said she needed the recipe because her husband thought this soup was from heaven.  Now, that's quite a compliment for a pot of soup made from a humble squash.  

I will admit that it takes a little time and effort to put together.  It's cutting up that squash that makes it a labor of love.  But, it's so worth it!  And once you have that job done, it's easy as can be.

Once I've peeled and removed the seeds, I cut the squash into chunks and set them aside.   

I use pancetta in this soup.  Pancetta is an Italian bacon that's cured with salt and spices, but not usually smoked like traditional bacon.  You can substitute a good thick sliced bacon if you don't have the pancetta.  But try the pancetta if you can.  It's so good!

Dice the pancetta into small pieces and add to your soup pot, along with a tablespoon or so of olive oil.   Over a low heat, brown the bacon and then remove to a small plate.  Hide it, or you might not have enough to add to the soup later on.  

While the pancetta is cooking, peel and dice an apple or maybe two, if they are on the small side.

Dice a shallot or half of a small onion and mince a clove of garlic.

Make sure and leave all the rendered fat in the pot after you take out the pancetta, and then add the diced shallot.  Cook until tender.  At this point, add the squash, give it a stir and then let it sit undisturbed for a few minutes, so the squash gently browns on one side.

Stir and let it brown a little on the other side.

Add the apple, garlic, sage and chicken broth.  Cover and cook until squash is tender, stirring every so often and adding more stock or water if needed.

When the squash is easily pierced with a fork, remove from heat and puree in a blender.  I do this in several batches.  If you have a stick blender, you could do this right in the pot, but I like the silky texture of the soup when I process it in the blender.  I blend part of the pancetta with the soup and reserve some for garnish.

Return the soup to the pot and add cream, half and half, more stock or water as needed to bring the soup to a nice consistency.  This is where you get creative and add what you like.  I normally use half and half, but I've been making it with coconut milk this past month and I like it that way too.  Sometimes I add a little butter and let that melt, because you know, butter makes everything just a tad bit better.     

If you want to get all fancy, you can garnish each bowl with some of that pancetta, and chopped nuts.  Maybe a little brown sugar would be nice.  Enjoy this heavenly soup!

Butternut Squash Soup

3-4 slices pancetta

1 T. olive oil

large shallot or 1/2 of a small onion

1 clove garlic, minced

1 medium - large butternut squash, peeled and chopped

1 apple, peeled and diced

1 1/2 T. freshly chopped sage or 1t. dried sage

4 cups chicken stock

1/4 cup cream, half and half

(can also use coconut milk)

Cook pancetta until crisp.  Transfer to a plate with 

paper towel.  Add onion or shallot to pan and cook 

until softened.  Add squash and let it sit undisturbed for

a few minutes, so it can brown.  Stir and let it continue

to brown.  Stir in apple, garlic, sage and broth.  Scrape

browned bits from bottom of pan.  Bring to boil and then

reduce and simmer until squash is tender.  Stir occasionally

and add more broth or water as needed.  Remove from 

heat.  Puree in blender (or using stick blender), adding

some of the pancetta.  Reserve some for topping.

Return pureed soup to pot and on low heat add cream,

half and half or move stock as desired.  You can also

add some butter and brown sugar if you like your soup

on the sweeter side.  Top the bowls with pancetta,

chopped pecans and brown sugar if desired.