Ingredients:
- 1 large butternut squash, 8-10 inches long
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, optional
- 1 large yellow onion
- 4 cups water
- 4 teaspoons Better Than Bouillon “No Chicken” soup base
- 1 cup rich cashew milk*
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (about 50 swipes)
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cut the squash in half. To make this easier, first cut a 3-inch lengthwise slit in one side of the squash and microwave it for 5 minutes, then cut all the way in half. Alternatively, you can cut the top and bottom off the squash, then stand it on end and slice it in half from the top down.
Scoop out the seeds and remove the skin with a sharp vegetable peeler. Cut the peeled squash into 1-inch cubes. Place on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Peel the onion, cut it in half and slice it thinly. Separate the rings, add it to the squash and, if desired, drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Use your hands to gently toss it all together, coating the vegetables evenly. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring once or twice. The squash should be tender, the onions translucent, and both should have some browned edges.
Heat the water and soup base in a large pot. Add the roasted squash and onions, scraping up all the browned bits that stuck to the pan. Using a hand blender, purée the broth and vegetables right in the pot. Stir in the cashew milk and blend again.(Or puree in batches in a regular blender.) For the very smoothest soup, after blending press through a sieve or colander with a rubber spatula. (I don’t bother with that.)
Heat gently and season with sea salt to taste. Serve in warmed bowls garnished with additional nutmeg and/or cashew cream, if desired.
Serves 4-6
To make Rich Cashew Milk: soak 1 cup (5 ounces) cashews overnight in water to cover or speed soak with boiling water for 1 hour. Drain, place in blender, and blend with 2 cups water until completely smooth. Makes about 2 ¾ cups. This milk makes an excellent base for hot cocoa!
Do-Ahead Tip: This soup freezes well. Whirl it in the blender or use your stick blender to smooth it out before reheating.
