Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients

• One large butternut squash
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 shallot, chopped
• 4-6 cloves garlic, crushed
• 3-4 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 can coconut milk  
• 6 cups vegetable stock or chicken stock  (you can make your own or if short on time, opt for an organic, low sodium packaged container)
• 2 teaspoons Himalayan salt or sea salt
• Cinnamon and nutmeg
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro or parsley
• Raw pumpkin seeds for garnish, optional

Serves 6-8

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Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Rinse the outside of squash and place in baking dish.  Bake squash for about 35 minutes.
2. Let it cool for a few moments, then scoop out the cooked flesh and add it to step 3.
3. 2. In a large 8-quart stock pot, heat oil over medium heat, add onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, then add shallot and garlic, sauté for another 2 minutes more, stirring frequently.
4. 3. Add the celery, squash, coconut milk and vegetable stock; cover and simmer over medium low heat for about 25-30 minutes or until squash is very tender.
5. 4. After ingredients have simmered together, the next step is to blend the soup.
6. If you have an immersion blender, you can keep everything right in the stock pot and blend. If not, transfer ladles of the soup into a blender and blend soup in batches until all has been pureed. If you prefer the consistency to be a little chunkier, then only puree half of it. Add salt to taste. Add fresh parsley or cilantro.
7. 5. Serve in soup bowls and sprinkle a little cinnamon and/or nutmeg on top of the soup to a dash of sweetness. Cinnamon is supportive with maintaining blood sugar levels.
8. 6. Garnish with pumpkin seeds.

*I love adding raw kale or arugula to bottom of soup bowl. The heat of the soup will naturally wilt the greens. This adds a contrast in texture and makes it even more nutritious!