Red Kuri Squash Soup with Ancho Chile and Apple

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 pounds Red Kuri or 11/2 pounds butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces (4 cups), seeds reserved
• 1 medium onion, sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 1 ancho chile—stemmed, seeded and torn into 1-inch pieces
• 1 medium apple—peeled, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• Salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional)
• Toasted pumpkin seeds, for garnish

Steps

1. In a large soup pot, melt the butter. Add the squash seeds and onion and cook over medium high heat, stirring frequently, until the onion is golden brown and the seeds are starting to brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the chile and toast until fragrant and pliable, about 1 minute. Add the squash, apple, cinnamon and 4 cups of water and bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat until the squash is very tender, about 25 minutes.
2. Working in batches, puree the soup in a blender. Season with salt, pepper and sugar, then serve, garnished with pumpkin seeds.