Description
Spicy butternut squash sweet potato soup combines hearty winter vegetables with rich, warming spices from Mexican cuisine. Roasted ingredients and creamy coconut milk create a luxurious experience that delights senses and comforts souls.
Ingredients
- 1 medium butternut squash (2 lbs or 907 g), peeled, seeded, and cubed
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups (960 ml) vegetable broth
- 1 can (13.5 oz or 400 ml) coconut milk
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Juice of 1 lime
- Fresh cilantro
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Roasting Preparation: Preheat oven to 400F (200C). Arrange butternut squash and sweet potatoes on a spacious baking tray, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper, ensuring even distribution.
- Vegetable Transformation: Roast vegetables for 25-30 minutes, rotating midway to achieve golden-brown caramelization and tender texture.
- Aromatic Foundation: In a large pot, sauté onions in olive oil until translucent. Add garlic, ginger, and spice blend (cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika), stirring to release intense fragrant notes.
- Flavor Fusion: Transfer roasted squash and sweet potatoes into the spice-infused pot. Pour vegetable broth, bringing mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes to marry flavors.
- Texture Refinement: Puree the soup using an immersion blender or standard blender until achieving a silky-smooth consistency. Incorporate coconut milk and fresh lime juice, adjusting seasoning to taste.
- Culinary Presentation: Ladle soup into warm bowls, garnish with fresh cilantro, red pepper flakes, and an optional coconut milk drizzle to elevate visual and flavor dimensions.
Notes
Roast Vegetables Thoroughly: Ensure squash and sweet potatoes are evenly cut and spread out on the baking tray to achieve perfect caramelization and prevent steaming instead of roasting.
Spice Balance is Key: Toast spices briefly to release their essential oils and prevent burning, creating a more complex and rounded flavor profile without bitterness.
Blending Technique Matters: When using a standard blender, work in small batches and leave the lid slightly open to prevent pressure buildup, allowing steam to escape and avoiding potential kitchen accidents.
Customize for Dietary Needs: For a protein boost, add cooked white beans or lentils during blending; for a vegan version, verify all ingredients are plant-based; for a lower-calorie option, replace coconut milk with low-fat coconut milk or vegetable broth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg