Picture Perfect Thanksgiving Starter: Squash Soup

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and happens to be one of my favorite hoidays. When you plan your menu, consider adding a soup to kick off the meal. It will warm your guests from the inside out and is a different way to start your meal than a traditional appetizer (although I do love a great charcuterie). This soup is a lovely starter to your Thanksgiving dinner - creamy and comforting.This recipe, from my book  Picture Perfect Parties, is one of my favorite soups all winter long, and the sage croutons make it so unique!

Acorn Squash Soup with Sage Croutons

Serves 8

You will need:

- 3 acorn squash, sliced in half and seeds removed

- 6 tbsp. olive oil (3 tablespoons to toss the squash

-3 tablespoons to sauté the shallot, onion and celery and apple and herbs)

- 2 granny smith apples, cored and chopped

- 1 medium shallot, diced

- 1/2 yellow onion, diced

- 1 cup diced celery

- 1 tsp. kosher salt

- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh sage

- 1 tsp. fresh dried ginger

- 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon-

4 cups vegetable stock

- 1 cup water

To Prepare:Preheat oven to 400 degrees.Line a baking sheet parchment paper or silpat.In a large bowl toss the squash with olive oil and salt and pepper.Place the squash, skin-side-down, onto baking sheet.Roast in oven for 45-50 minutes, or until flesh is tender and skin is starting to turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow the squash to cool. Once it’s cooled, remove flesh from skin by using a spoon to scoop out the flesh into the bowl set aside.In a large cast iron pot heat olive oil over on medium-high add apple, shallot and onions and celery and sauté until tender, about 6-8 minutes, add salt, ginger, sage, , cinnamon, and cooked squash then the vegetable stock.Bring to a boil about 5 minutes and then reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes.Remove the soup from the cook top, and let stand for an hour to cool. Ladle the soup in batches into a food processor fitted with a steel blade, pulse until smooth, place into a storage container, and repeat. This can be done 2 days before and be stored in the refrigerator until ready to heat and serve.

Sage Croutons

You will need:

- 1 loaf of rustic bread cut into 1 inch cubes

- ¼ cup olive oil

- ¼ cup chopped fresh sage

- ½ teaspoon sea salt

- ½ teaspoon black pepper

- 2 cloves minced garlic

To Prepare:Preheat the oven to 350 degree FIn a large bowl whisk oil, garlic, sage and salt and pepper.Cut bread into 1 inch cubes, and toss into the sage oil mixture.On a baking sheet spread the coated bread cubes and bake for 10-15 minutes until golden brown. You may need to shake the baking sheet to toast the cubes evenly 5 minutes into baking.Remove from the oven, let cool, and seal in a zip-lock bag until ready to serve.

Photo credit : Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn