Butternut Squash Apple Soup With Cornbread Croutons
Prep Time:40
Cook Time:60
Serves:15
- 5g Protein
- 11g Carbs
- View Full Info
This Butternut Squash and Apple Soup with Cornbread Croutons recipe makes a great dinner or lunch option for the cooler months of the year. The cornbread croutons recipe calls for Kodiak Cakes Homestead Style Cornbread Mix to put the perfect finish on this fall-inspired meal.
Recipe provided by Kiwi and Carrot
Ingredients
Soup:
- 12 ounces thick-cut apple-smoked bacon, diced
- 2 celery ribs, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
- 1 large butternut squash, seeded (keep seeds), peeled, and diced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped (plus more for garnish)
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- Nutmeg, pinch
- Sea salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup Half and Half cream
- 2 cups cornbread cubes (from premade Kodiak Cakes Homestyle Cornbread Mix; prepared as instructed on the box)
Garnish:Â
- Cornbread Croutons {see instructions}
- Creme frache
- Roasted butternut squash seeds {see instructions}
- Bacon
Directions
Make the Roasted Squash Seeds :
- Peel, halve, and scoop out the butternut squash seeds. Rinse seeds under cold water in a colander, removing squash flesh, and pat dry. Toss seeds evenly in a little bit of olive oil, sea salt, and pepper. Roast at 300 degrees for 20 minutes, until starting to brown. Cool and set aside.
Cook the Bacon:
- In a hot pan, cook the diced bacon until crispy and the fat has rendered. With a slotted spoon, remove the bacon and place on paper towels to dry. Reserve the bacon fat.
Make the Croutons:
- Toss 2 cups of cornbread cubes with 3-4 tablespoons of the bacon fat, sea salt, pepper, and a pinch of dried thyme. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees until crispy, about 20 minutes, turning half-way through.
Make the Soup:
- In a deep soup pot, heat 3 tablespoons of the bacon fat.* Add in the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery, and cook until softened. Add in the butternut squash and apples. Season with sea salt, pepper, nutmeg, and ginger. Add in 4 cups of chicken broth and 1 cup of water. Bring to a simmer and simmer for about 25 minutes, until all the vegetables are very soft.
- Working in batches, puree the soup until completely smooth and free of any lumps. Return to the pot and warm through. On low heat, stir in the Half and Half cream and a tablespoon of fresh chopped rosemary.
- Portion the soup into bowls and garnish with the crispy bacon, a swirl of crème fraîche, cornbread croutons, and squash seeds. Sprinkle with additional fresh rosemary. Enjoy!
Notes: *You should have enough bacon fat for both the croutons and soup if using thick-cut bacon. If you do not have enough bacon fat, simply replace what you need with olive oil.
