Butternut Squash is awesome

This soup took lots of preparation, but was worth it in the end...


     Before you all ask,  let me tell you, that the farmer was growing this in the summer.  I even asked him,  "Isn't this a winter squash?" apparently since they have way longer growing seasons down here,  things can come at different times,  except for apples, because it is just too hot for apples down here, and that makes this northern gal a wee bit depressed.  Anyways...

    It took me a while to cut, de-seed, and peel all three butternut squashes.  Then I had to peel and cut both a few potatoes and an apple.  Except for the potatoes,  that was a lot of extra scrap for the compost bin (which made it's first bit of dirt the other day!).   I did not have any fresh ginger on hand, so I used the dried stuff in my cupboard.  I also lacked coriander,  so I used a mixture (1:1 ratio) of cinnamon and nutmeg.    Since it is not fall,  and there are NO apple orchards around here,  I also substituted apple juice for apple cider.  I know the cider would have made a major difference.  Since I am on this whole dialogue on substituting,  I am now officially substituting the olive oil and any other oils with either Ghee or Coconut oil.  I have put on too much weight cooking through this cook book (and also because of my poor eating habits...).

   The result was a great tasting soup that even the kids enjoyed.  It was just a wee bit on the grainy side.  Does anyone know if a soup like this would freeze well??  I had about 4 cups of it left over.

I decorated it with a few of it's own seeds that I roasted in the oven (along with some walnuts!). 





Now for Friday Linky Love! 

1. http://www.fabfrugalfood.com/frugal-tips/fab-frugal-friday-make-your-own-budget-spiced-chips/  Make your own chips and save money!!
2. http://anneelliott.com/blog/?p=1696&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+anneelliott+%28anneelliott%29&utm_content=Google+Reader-- a great on saving money while eating healthy.
3. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/14/cookbooks-you-didnt-know_n_642256.html#s107371  -- a friend pointed me to this article,  I thought it was so funny I had to share it with you all too! 
4. http://whiskthepantry.blogspot.com/2010/07/apricot-jam-thumbprints-carrot-cake.html -- I want to make the carrot cake cookies!
5. http://www.amanda.fakeginger.com/?p=1213  Quinoa Granola, on my to-do list to make! :D