Butternut Squash and Bean Soup

Butternut Squash and Bean Soup from Second Helpings from Union Square Cafe. I substitute navy beans for the expensive beans in the recipe. It's still delicious.

Ingredients

1 pound dried borlotti beans (or cranberry beans)
8 cups water
2 bay leaves
2 tablespoons kosher salt

Croutons
2 cups rustic or sourdough bread cubes (1 inch, crusts removed)
3 unpeeled garlic cloves, smashed
1/4 teaspoon salt
pinch of freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon chopped fresh sage leaves

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup diced onion (1/2 inch)
1 cup diced carrots (1/2 inch)
1 cup sliced celery (stalks cut in half lenghthwise and then cut into 1/2 inch slices)
1 cup diced parsnip (1/2 inch)
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 firmly packed tablespoons sliced fresh sage leaves
3 cups butternut squash, peeled and diced (1/2 inch)
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon Aleppo pepper or dried red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon honey

Procedure

1. Soak the beans overnight, or for at least 6 hours, in enough cold water to cover. [We suggest 4 inches of water above the beans.] Drain and transfer to a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the water and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer, covered, until almost tender, 45 to 50 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon of the salt and cook 10 more minutes.

2. Make the croutons: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown, 5-10 minutes. Transfer the cubes to a large bowl and toss with the garlic, salt, pepper, oil, and sage. Let stand 30 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a second large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, parsnip, garlic, and sage and cook until the vegetables have softened but are not colored, about 10 minutes. Season with the remaining tablespoon of salt, and the black and Aleppo peppers. Remove from the heat and set aside.

4. Spoon 1 cup of the cooked beans along with 1/4 cup of their cooking liquid into a blender and puree until smooth. Using a rubber spatula, scrape the puree into the pan with the vegetables. Add the whole beans with their cooking liquid, the bay leaves, and honey, and simmer until the vegetables are completely tender, about 10 more miunutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning if desired.

5 Serve the soup in warm bowls, topped with the croutons.

Serves 8-10

From Second Helpings from Union Square Cafe

Last updated: February 25, 2007