End-of-Summer Acorn Squash Soup with Fresh Basil

This is a savory, velvety-smooth soup that’s perfect for cold fall afternoons. You can substitute thinly-sliced scallion greens for the basil. Sour cream adds a richer base of flavor, but you can also use one cup of heavy cream instead. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

3 garden acorn squash, halved and seeded 4 tbs. XV olive oil 3 cups chicken stock 1/4 cup sour cream 3 tbs. salted butter (room temperature) 1 dry bay leaf 1 tsp. Spanish smoked paprika 1/4 tsp. dry tarragon 4 large cloves roasted garlic 1/2 cup fresh-grated quality hard Parmesan cheese 1/2 tsp. salt and fresh-ground black pepper to taste Thinly-sliced fresh garden basil as a garnish

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°-F. Using a very sharp 12” chef knife, carefully halve the acorn squash and core out the seeds and pulp with a spoon. Lop off the ends on each piece so they will sit level on a cookie sheet.

Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil, place the squash halves on the sheet and brush with olive oil. Bake for 50 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Remove and set aside for ten minutes to cool.

While the squash is baking, heat a small, heavy cast-iron skillet over medium heat and add the garlic cloves. Leave the husks on. Turn occasionally and roast for about ten minutes until slightly charred. Remove, let cool and then peel.

Spoon out the squash and transfer to a blender. Add the chicken stock, roasted garlic, sour cream, salted butter, smoked paprika, tarragon, salt and pepper. Pulse until smooth.

Transfer to a heavy soup pot. Add the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir well and add the bay leaf. Cook over medium-low heat for about one hour, stirring often, so the flavors have time to incorporate. Serve with chopped fresh basil as a garnish.

Serves 6.