Roasted Hubbard Squash Soup with Hazelnuts & Chives

by Ivy Manning
Roasted Hubbard Squash Soup with Hazelnuts & Chives

Ingredients

3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
3 large cloves garlic, peeled
1 Tbs. coriander seeds
1-1/2 tsp. fennel seeds
1-1/2 tsp. dried sage
1 small Hubbard squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
2 Tbs. unsalted butter
1 large leek (white and light-green parts only), halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into small dice
Kosher salt
5 cups lower-salt chicken or vegetable broth
1 bay leaf
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup hazelnuts, toasted, skinned, and chopped
2 Tbs. thinly sliced chives
Several small pinches Espelette pepper or cayenne

Directions

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 200ºC. Line a heavy-duty rimmed baking sheet with parchment. In a mortar and pestle, pound the oil, garlic, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, and sage until they resemble a coarse paste. Rub the spice mixture on the flesh of the squash halves. Set them cut side down on the prepared pan and roast until tender when pierced with a fork, about 1 hour. Let cool, cut side up. When cool enough to handle, scrape the flesh away from the rind—you’ll need about 5 cups. Melt the butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the leek, carrots, and a big pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the leek is softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the squash, broth, bay leaf, and 1 tsp. salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to a low simmer, cover, and cook for 30 minutes to develop the soup’s flavour. Remove the bay leaf and allow the soup to cool slightly. Purée the soup in batches in a blender. Return the soup to the pot and add the lemon juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with the chopped hazelnuts, chives, and Espelette pepper or cayenne.

Recipe by Ivy Manning.

This will be my third year for a weekly Frith Farm veg box. The veg is outstandingly fresh and it's great to see the range change as the year moves forward. You feel inspired to cook when you see what's in your box.

— Philippa

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