BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP WITH PUMPKIN BUTTER

Butternut Squash Soup with Pumpkin Butter image

Provided by David Venable

Yield Makes 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

Vegetable oil spray
1 2-pound butternut squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Pinch of grated nutmeg
1 cup milk or half-and-half
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 10-ounce jar pumpkin butter
Chopped pistachio nuts

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 375 °F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with the vegetable oil spray.
Place the squash halves, cut side down, in the prepared dish. Pierce the skin sides several times with a fork. Bake until the squash is tender, about 45 minutes. Set aside until cool enough to handle.
Using a large spoon, scrape the flesh from the cooked squash into a food processor. Discard the skins. Add 1 1/2 cups of the chicken broth, the cinnamon, marjoram, thyme, and nutmeg and puree until smooth. Transfer the puree to a large saucepan. Whisk the milk into the soup over medium heat. If you prefer a thinner consistency, add the remaining broth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Ladle the soup into warmed bowls. Top with a dollop of pumpkin butter and sprinkle with chopped pistachio nuts before serving.