The winter harvest

I love fresh food. I never eat food from a can or a bag. I appreciate the seasonal crops, that's why I decided to start this series of blogs to talk about one fruit or vegetable in the season every week

Butternut Squash
A fruit, treated in most countries as a pumpkin. Very high in vitamin A and beta-carotene which is known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidants properties. In general they are said to be good for the heart health and, men prostate health

Nutritional Facts:
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2648/2

How to buy it:
Should have matt tan color with no green, heavy for its size (indication of high moisture when it is fresh), have a firm rind.

Soup Recipe:
This is good enough for 8 people; you can reduce to 4, by using half the quantities.

2 butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch chunks
olive oil
Salt, pepper, (cardamom, nutmeg optional) 12 cups broth (1 cup = 8 ounces)
4 medium chopped onions
3/4 - 1 cup wild rice
1/2 pound smoked sausage, cut into 1/4-inch
1 large potato (optional)
2 cups corn kernels (optional)
1 cup half-and-half
To garnish: 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves (optional)

Steps:
· Sprinkle the squash pieces with 1 spoon of oil and some salt and pepper, and then lay them one layer on either aluminum foil or on a cookie sheet and roast in the over for about 1 hour. After roasting, let the squash cool down for 15-30 minutes, then pure it in 2 cups of broth

· Add 4 cups of the broth to a pot, bring it to boil, then stir in the rice over medium-low heat until tender, stir occasionally.(1 hour).open the lid and let it cool for at least 30 minutes

· In a large saucepan, brown the sausage and onions, in 2 spoons oil. For about 3-4 minutes the add the corn and sauté for 2 more minutes.

Add the remaining 6 cups of broth, the squash puree, bring to boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
Stir in the rice, half and half and add salt, pepper and cardamom, nutmeg to your taste.

Tips: to use less half and half you can boil 1 potato and puree it with the squash
Do not season until you add in everything together, as different types of sausage can have different levels of spices.

Enjoy!