Ingredients
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1/4 cup olive oil
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3 lbs butternut squash
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6 garlic cloves, unpeeled
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1/4 cup water
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3 cups apple juice or 3 cups vegetable stock
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1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
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1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
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1 teaspoon salt
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pepper
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2 teaspoons butter
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20 fresh sage leaves, sliced on the diagonal
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2 large Spanish onions, peeled and quartered
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Brush the bottom of a baking pan with olive oil and set aside. Cut the squash through the stem ends into halves, prick the skin in several places with a knife, and scoop out the seeds with a spoon.
- Brush the cut surfaces with about a tablespoon of the olive oil.
- Put the garlic inside the squash cavities and place halves in the pan cut side down.
- Add the onions to the pan and brush with remaining olive oil. Pour the water into the bottom of the pan, cover with aluminum foil, and bake for 50 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for 5-10 minutes more or until the squash is tender and the onions are soft.
- When the squash is cooled enough to handle, scoop out the flesh.
- Squeeze the garlic cloves out of their skins and discard the skins.
- In batches in a blender, combine the baked vegetables, apple juice or stock, thyme, nutmeg, salt and pepper and puree until it is smooth. (If you are making this ahead - chill here - and when ready go to the next direction).
- Pour the soup into a pot and heat gently.
- In a small skillet, melt the butter and saute the sage leaves until dark and curled.
- Garnish each bowl of soup with the sage leaves.