Velvety Butternut Squash Soup with Seasoned Chickpeas
Warm up with our delicious Velvety Butternut Squash Soup, enriched with the flavors of roasted vegetables and seasoned chickpeas. Perfect as a vegan or vegetarian dish, this comforting soup is a must for those who crave a fulfilling, healthy meal. Each serving yields about 6-7 cups of soup.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line two large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
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Drain and rinse chickpeas, then pat them dry using paper towels.
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Cut squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Pierce the skin a few times with a knife.
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Peel and cut carrots into 3 portions. Peel the onion and cut it into 8 quarters.
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Place squash (cut side down), carrots, and onion on one baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 TBSP avocado oil and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Pour 1/4 cup of water around the squash.
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Place chickpeas on the second baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 TBSP avocado oil and season with 1/4 tsp sea salt.
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Place both pans on the center rack of the oven. Roast for 30 minutes, then remove chickpeas. Continue roasting squash and vegetables for an additional 15-25 minutes, or until tender.
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While squash is still roasting, mix together smoked paprika, ground cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and ground cumin in a small bowl. Once chickpeas are done roasting, toss them with the spice mix.
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Allow roasted veggies to cool slightly, then remove squash skin or scoop the flesh out with a spoon. Discard the skin.
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In a medium-large pot, melt 2 TBSP unsalted butter over medium heat. Once butter starts to simmer and brown, add minced garlic and whisk constantly until butter is golden and fragrant.
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Add vegetable broth, cover, and reduce heat to low.
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Working in batches, blend the roasted veggies with the broth and seasoned chickpeas in a blender until smooth. Fill blender only 2/3 full, as hot liquid expands. Return the blended soup to the pot and mix well.
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Season the soup to taste with additional salt or spices, if needed. Keep covered over the lowest heat setting until ready to serve.