Curried Squash Soup With Spiced Pumpkin Seeds

The spiced seeds are a perfect addition to this hearty, tangy soup, but you might want to make these just to keep on hand as a snack. Recipe from Lisa Odegard, who is a regular contributor to www.NaturallySavvy.com.

• 1 sweet potato (see note)
• 11/2 acorn squash (see note)
• 6 tablespoons unsalted organic butter, divided
• Salt and pepper
• 1 red onion peeled, trimmed and finely diced
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
• 1/3 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/3 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 1/2 quarts vegetable stock
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• Spiced pumpkin seeds (see recipe below)
• Creme fraiche (for garnish, optional or substitute sour cream)
• Toasted peasant bread (for garnish, optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut each squash in half and discard the seeds. Brush cut sides with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Season squash with salt and pepper. Arrange the squash cut side down on a rack placed in a baking tray and bake until tender, about 1 hour. Bake sweet potato until soft (about 40 minutes).

In a medium stockpot, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter. Over low heat, sweat the onion with all spices listed above. Pour in stock and bring to a simmer. Cook about 20 minutes.

When squash is soft, scoop out the insides of the squash and sweet potato and throw out the skin. Then puree the sweet potato and squash in a blender, adding milk as you are blending. Add the pureed squash to onions and hot stock. Use low heat until soup is heated through. Do not allow soup to simmer or boil. Season soup with salt and pepper and add more spices if necessary. Garnish soup with creme fraiche and/or spiced pumpkin seeds, and serve with toasted peasant bread.

Note: You can substitute the sweet potato and acorn squash with 2 butternut squash.

Makes 4 servings.

Spiced Pumpkin Seeds

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1/8 teaspoon cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Toss oil and pumpkin seeds together, then add salt and spices, and bake in oven for 5-8 minutes at 375 degrees or until toasted and the spices are fragrant.

Per serving: 463 calories; 36 g fat (14 g saturated fat; 60 percent calories from fat); 29 g carbohydrates; 51 mg cholesterol; 768 mg sodium; 15 g protein; 4 g fiber.