Ingredients
- 1 3-4 pounds butternut squash, cut in half lengthwise
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoonful salt
- 1 teaspoonful black pepper
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1 yellow onion chopped up
- 1 yellow pepper chopped up
- 2 medium carrots peeled and diced
- 2 garlic cloves chopped
- ½ cup sugar free apple sauce
- 4 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- ¼ teaspoon grated lemon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nut
- ¼ – ½ teaspoonful red pepper flakes add depending on spice level, optional
- Optional Toppings: Heavy whipping cream or half and half chopped chives, sunflower or pumpkin seeds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the pumpkin on the baking sheet. Drizzle with a tablespoon of olive oil, then lightly season the meat with salt and black pepper. Flip the halves so that they are meat side down. Roast for 45 minutes or until tender and golden.
- Remove the pumpkin from the oven. Let sit for 15 minutes or until cool enough to handle and remove the seeds.
- Meanwhile, heat a tablespoon each of the olive oil and butter in a large pot or skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onion, bell pepper, and carrots until soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and continue to sauté for 1 minute.
- Scoop out the cooked flesh of the squash and place in a blender with the sautéed onion, red bell pepper and garlic, applesauce and half the broth. Mix until smooth.
- Pour the puree into a large pot along with the remaining broth, lemon zest, nutmeg, a generous pinch of salt, and black pepper. Remove. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 7 minutes.
- Divide into bowls and serve warm. Garnish with optional heavy whipping cream, chives, and pumpkin or sunflower seeds.