Roasted Squash and Raw Carrot Soup Recipe

By
J. Kenji López-Alt
Kenji Lopez Alt
J. Kenji López-Alt
Culinary Consultant
Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.
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Updated Aug. 09, 2018
20120129-roasted-butternut-squash-raw-carrot-soup--4.jpg
J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

A bright and filling vegan soup.

Note: You can use bottled store-bought carrot juice, but I prefer freshly juiced carrots. 4 pounds of carrots will get you about 1 1/2 quarts of juice.

Recipe Details

Roasted Squash and Raw Carrot Soup Recipe

Active 30 mins
Total 0 mins
Serves 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 small butternut squash (about 2 1/2 pounds), split lengthwise, seeds removed
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 thyme sprigs
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 medium onion, finely sliced (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 1 1/2 quarts fresh carrot juice (see note)
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley (optional)
  • 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin or squash seeds (optional)

Directions

  1. Adjust oven rack to upper middle position and preheat oven to 375°F. Coat squash halves with 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on a rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil with cut side facing up. Place garlic clove and thyme sprig in each seed hollow. Roast until completely tender and lightly browned in spots, about 1 hour total. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. Discard thyme and carefully scrape flesh away from skin. Discard skin.

  2. Meanwhile, heat 2 more tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until completely tender and lightly browned, about 15 minutes total. Add cooked squash flesh along with garlic cloves. Stir to combine. Add carrot juice and just enough water to submerge everything. Bring to a boil then remove from heat.

  3. Transfer soup to a blender (if necessary, work in two batches). Start blender and slowly increase speed to high. With blender running, slowly drizzle in remaining olive oil. Continue blending until completely smooth and creamy. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

  4. Reheat soup until simmering and serve immediately, garnishing with additional extra-virgin olive oil, chopped parsley, toasted pumpin or squash seeds, and toasted croutons drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil.

Special equipment

blender, juicer (see note)

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