Kristi Whitley

Healthy Living

Squash Soup in Pumpkin Bowls
Serves: 4 servings
Adapted from Food Network Magazine

Ingredients
For the Bowls:
4 small baking pumpkins (such as hooligan or sugar pie), acorn squash or sweet dumpling squash
2 teaspoons coconut sugar
Kosher salt

For the Soup:
3 tablespoons Earth Balance Buttery Spread
1/2 small onion, chopped
Kosher salt
2 sprigs thyme
1 medium butternut or kuri squash (about 2 pounds), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon coconut sugar
3 tablespoons
Canned full-fat coconut milk
Freshly ground pepper

For the Toppings:
Pepitas (hulled green pumpkin seeds)
gluten-free coutons

Paprika, chili powder or Spanish pimento
Smokey tempeh fakin bacon
gluten free French Fried onions
Fried sage or parsley leaves

Directions
Make the bowls: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Use a paring knife to cut a large circle around the stem of each pumpkin (make a zigzag cut, if desired). Remove the lid and scoop out the seeds and fibers. Sprinkle the inside of each with 1/2 teaspoon each coconut sugar and salt. Place the pumpkins and lids on a baking sheet; roast until tender, 20 to 35 minutes, depending on their size.

Meanwhile, make the soup: Melt the Earth Balance in a large saucepan over low heat. Add the onion and 1 teaspoon salt. Strip the thyme leaves into the pot, increase the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add the squash and coconut sugar and cook, stirring, until glazed, 3 to 4 minutes. Add 5 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until the squash is tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

Working in batches, transfer the soup to a blender, crack the lid to let steam escape and puree until smooth; return to the saucepan (or puree directly in the pan with an immersion blender). Stir in the coconut milk, if desired. Season with salt and pepper, and top as desired.