YIELD: 4 to 6 servings | PREP TIME: 5 minutes
STOVETOP: about 1 hour 30 minutes | SLOW COOKER: 6 to 8 hours | PRESSURE COOKER: 25 minutes
- 2 medium butternut, acorn, or kabocha squash, or a combination
- 2 tablespoons melted ghee or avocado oil, divided
- 2 teaspoons salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 pears, peeled, cored, and diced
- 6 cups Chicken Broth (here )
- 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence
- Fresh tarragon, for garnish (optional)
01 Preheat the oven to 425°F. Cut the squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Brush the cut sides with 1 tablespoon of the ghee and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of the salt and the pepper. Place the squash cut side up on a baking sheet and roast for 60 to 75 minutes, until very soft. Set aside to cool.
02 About 15 minutes before the squash is done roasting, heat the remaining tablespoon of ghee in a large pot over medium heat. When the ghee is hot, add the onion and the remaining teaspoon of salt and sauté, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, until golden brown and softened. Add the pears and cook for another 5 minutes.
03 When the squash is cool enough to handle, scoop out the flesh and add it to the pot with the onions and pears. Add the broth and herbes de Provence and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, or until the pears are very soft.
04 Puree the soup in batches in a blender until smooth. Garnish with tarragon, if desired.
Slow Cooker Instructions: Instead of roasting the squash, peel and cut it into large dice. After completing Step 2, transfer the onion and pears to a slow cooker. Add the diced squash, salt, pepper, chicken broth, and herbes de Provence and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Proceed with Step 4.
Pressure Cooker Instructions: Instead of roasting the squash, peel and cut it into large dice. After completing Step 2, transfer the onion and pears to a pressure cooker. Add the diced squash, salt, pepper, chicken broth, and herbes de Provence and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Quick-release the pressure and proceed with Step 4.
AIP Modification: Use avocado oil or olive oil instead of ghee and omit the black pepper.
