Southwestern Squash Soup Food

SOUTHWESTERN PORK AND SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• In a large skillet, brown pork and onion in oil; drain. Transfer to a 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until meat is tender.

TEX MEX BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Add the olive oil to a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the squash and peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until just beginning to brown slightly, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and jalapeno and cook for 1 more minute. Add the broth, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and simmer until the squash is soft, about 15 minutes. Puree using an immersion blender.
• To serve immediately: Serve up in bowls and top with about 1 tablespoon each of the crema, cotija, cilantro and pomegranate seeds.
• If freezing, let cool completely, then pour into 3 to 4 quart bags and freeze. To serve: thaw a bag of the soup in the refrigerator, then heat in a pan or in the microwave. Top with the crema, cotija, cilantro and pomegranate seeds.

SUMMER SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in a heavy pot over medium heat; cook and stir onions until translucent, about 10 minutes. Add chicken broth and potatoes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover pot, and simmer, about 5 minutes. Add carrots and simmer, about 10 minutes. Add zucchini and simmer until all vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.
• Combine soup, basil, salt, and pepper into a blender or food processor no more than half full. Cover and hold lid down; pulse a few times before leaving on to blend. Puree in batches until desired consistency is reached.

WINTER SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the butter and oil in a heavy - bottomed stockpot, add the onions, and cook over medium - low heat for 10 minutes, or until translucent. Add the pumpkin puree, butternut squash, chicken stock, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer over medium - low heat for about 20 minutes, until the butternut squash is very tender. Process the mixture through the medium blade of a food mill. Return to the pot, add the half - and - half, and heat slowly. If the soup needs more flavor, add another teaspoon of salt. Serve hot with garnishes, if desired.
• Cook's Note: To serve with croutons, remove the crusts from 2 slices of white bread, cut them in 1/2-inch cubes, and saute them in 1 tablespoon of butter until browned. Season with salt and pepper.

SOUTHWESTERN WINTER SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Rub all over with 1 teaspoon olive oil and season the cut sides with salt and pepper. Arrange cut-side down on a baking sheet and roast until very tender, about 30 minutes (a fork should easily pierce the skin). Set aside until cool enough to handle, then scoop out the squash into a bowl and discard the skin.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the tortilla pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the carrots, red onion, chile, garlic, cumin, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring, until the onion has softened, about 4 minutes.
• Add the roasted squash, broth and 3 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the carrots are very tender, about 25 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
• Working in batches, transfer the soup to a blender and puree until smooth; return to the pot. (Or puree the soup in the pot with an immersion blender.) Add up to 1 cup water if the soup is too thick and reheat if needed. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with toppings.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND ITALIAN SAUSAGE SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Lightly coat the squash halves with 1 teaspoon of the vegetable oil. Season the inside with salt and pepper and place cut-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake until very tender, about 45 minutes. When the squash is cool enough to handle, scoop out the flesh and reserve. Discard the peel.
• In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add the remaining vegetable oil and, when hot but not smoking, add the sausage. Cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until the onions wilted and starting to caramelize, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic, sage and marjoram, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the cooked squash and chicken stock, stir well to combine, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• With a hand-held immersion blender, or in batches in a food processor or blender, puree the soup. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a clean saucepan. Add the cider vinegar and stir to combine. Add the cream and adjust seasoning, to taste.
• In a small saute pan, cook the butter over medium-high heat until it begins to turn brown around the edges. Add the whole sage leaves and cook until crisp, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the leaves to paper towels to drain.
• Serve the soup in bowls, garnished with the crispy sage leaves.

SOUTHWESTERN SQUASH CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Place first 3 ingredients in a large microwave-safe glass bowl, and cover tightly with plastic wrap.
• Pierce plastic wrap with a fork several times to vent.
• Microwave on HIGH 8-9 minutes or until veggies are tender; drain.
• Press between layers of paper towels to remove excess moisture.
• Stir together cooked veggies, cheddar cheese soup, and next 5 ingredients until well blended.
• Spoon into a lightly greased 11 x 7" baking dish.
• Sprinkle evenly with cheese.
• Bake at 450 degrees for 20 minutes or until lightly browned and bubbly.

PRESSURE-COOKER SOUTHWESTERN PORK AND SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Select saute setting on a 6-qt. electric pressure cooker and adjust for medium heat; add oil. When oil is hot, cook and stir pork and onion in oil until browned. Press cancel. Stir in remaining ingredients. Lock lid; close pressure-release valve. Adjust to pressure-cook on high for 3 minutes. Quick-release pressure. (A thermometer inserted into pork should read at least 145°.)

SOUTHWESTERN SOUP

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, combine the first nine ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. , Sprinkle individual servings with cheese. Serve with tortilla chips if desired.