Ingredients: |
Ingredients:
For the soup
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium Vidalia or Spanish onion – peeled, quartered and cut crosswise in 1/8″ slices
2 garlic cloves – skinned and finely chopped
1 cup dry white wine
3 lbs (1.4 kg) winter squash (1 medium butternut squash, kabocha, sugar pumpkin…) – peeled (use a vegetable hand-peeler), seeded and cut in 1″ chunks
2 1/2 cups vegetable stock
3 to 3 1/2 cups spring water
1 1/4 teaspoons sea salt or to taste
freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
For the citrus-mint pesto
1 small bunch Italian parsley (1 1/2 oz) (45 g) – tough stems removed
8 sprigs fresh mint – leaves removed from stems
1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds – coarsely ground with mortar and pestle
1/4 teaspoon orange zest (use a microplane grater)
2 tablespoons pine nuts
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
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Directions: |
Directions:Heat a large heavy-bottomed pot to medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and onions and sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until golden, stirring from time to time. Add the garlic and wine. Stir well and continue to sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, until the wine has evaporated and glazed the onions. Add the squash chunks, stock, 3 cups of water, salt and pepper. Bring the soup to a boil and then simmer covered for 30 to 35 minutes, until the squash is very tender.
Add the orange juice and purée the soup with a stick blender or food processor, until silky-smooth. Thin the soup with water to the desired consistency. Adjust the seasoning if needed. Remove from heat and set aside.
While the soup is simmering, make the pesto. Place all the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and process until very smooth, for 1 to 2 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl once or twice. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside. Ladle the soup into soup bowls. Place a spoonful of the pesto in the center of each bowl and serve immediately.
Cook’s note: The soup can be made up to 3 days ahead and reheated just before serving. It may need to be thinned with additional spring water, as the squash will absorb the liquids as it stands. Freezes well up to 1 month. |
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