RECIPE

© Frances Janisch

Butternut Squash Soup

• Recipe by Mary Ellen Diaz

The Good News Adding collard greens, bell pepper, corn and carrot to a rustic butternut squash soup is Mary Ellen Diaz's clever way of making it even more healthy. Together these vegetables deliver vitamins A and C as well as fiber and powerful antioxidants.

• Healthy
• Make-Ahead

Ingredients

1. 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2. One 2-pound butternut squash—quartered, seeded, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
3. 5 thyme sprigs
4. 2 garlic cloves, halved
5. 2 medium leeks, white and pale green parts only, cut into 2-inch pieces
6. 1 celery rib, cut into 2-inch pieces
7. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
8. 2 thick slices of bacon, cut crosswise 1/2 inch thick
9. 2 packed cups coarsely chopped collards or kale
10. One 15-ounce can pinto or roman beans, drained and rinsed
11. 1 medium carrot, finely diced
12. 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
13. 1 cup corn kernels
14. Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. In a large, heavy pot, combine the broth, squash, thyme, garlic, leeks and celery and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over low heat for 45 minutes.
2. In a medium skillet, heat the vegetable oil. Add the bacon strips and cook over moderately high heat, turning once, until crisp, about 7 minutes.
3. Discard the thyme sprigs from the soup. Working in batches, puree the soup in a blender. Return the soup to the pot. Add the bacon, collards, pinto beans, carrot, bell pepper and corn and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 7 minutes. Season the soup with salt and pepper and serve.

Make Ahead

The soup can be refrigerated overnight. Reheat gently.

Notes

One Serving 264 cal, 10 gm fat, 1.4 gm sat fat, 37 gm carb, 7 gm fiber.