Butternut Squash Soup

One of my favorite ways to make sure I'm getting all of the vegetables I need is making a big pot of soup, especially in the winter when days are short and often dreary. This time of year, butternut squash is prevalent in markets and grocery stores. You can even buy it already cubed! Scoop up some squash on your next trip to the store, and create this lovely, vegetable dense, soup. It's a crowd pleaser for the entire family!

Butternut Squash Soup

Serves 8

You will need:

- 1 cup cubed butternut squash

- 1 cup rough chopped yellow onion

- 1 cup cubed carrots- 1 cup cubed celery

- 1 cup cubed parsnips- 1/2 cup cubed baby red potatoes

- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley- 2 cups kale, shredded

- 1/4 cup olive oil- 1 15 oz can of white beans

- 1 quart organic vegetable stock- salt and pepper

To prepare: Peel and cube squash, onion, carrots, celery, parsnips, and red potato into 1-inch cubes.Put the vegetables in a heavy cast iron pot, except the kale and white beans.Saute all the vegetables in the olive oil until the vegetables are soft and the onion is translucent  (about 15 minutes). Then add the kale, beans and stock, and stir until blended.  Season mixture with salt and pepper. Simmer on low heat for 1.5 hours.

To serve:Serve this soup with crusty bread and a spinach, apple, walnut salad with blue cheese crumbles and balsamic vinaigrette.