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Easy Leek And Butternut Squash Soup

Are you looking to incorporate more vegetables into your daily diet but tired of the same old salad routine? We have the perfect solution for you.

Spanish soup recipes come in all shapes and forms, and they truly excel by skillfully blending a wide variety of vegetables and flavors.

The leek and butternut squash soup is an amazing example of that, and if you keep reading this article, you will learn how to make it from scratch, complete with invaluable tips for storing, serving, and customizing the ingredients.

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Background of the Dish

creamy Leek And Butternut Squash Soup in a bowl with chorizo toppings

The leek and butternut squash soup likely emerged as a result of culinary experimentation and the desire to create comforting and nutritious dishes.

Although it is present in different cuisines, the Andalusian version of this recipe includes a larger amount of local ingredients like garlic cloves, onion, and the rich flavor of olive oil, showcasing the region’s culinary tradition.

There isn’t an exact date for the creation of this soup, but it is believed to have been created around the same time as the Spanish baked bean soup, another traditional dish from Southern Spain.

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Things You’ll Need for Leek And Butternut Squash Soup

To make this recipe you will need leek, butternut squash, coconut milk, broth, onion, garlic cloves, and olive oil as the main ingredients.

The only equipment needed to prepare this leek and butternut squash soup is a large pot and an immersion blender (or a regular one) to reach the classic creamy texture.

closeup with Butternut Squash cut into cubes

Ingredients

  • 1 large butternut squash
  • 2 large leeks
  • 6 cups (1.5l) vegetable broth
  • 1 cup (240ml) coconut milk (or heavy cream, if preferred)
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 onion
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)

How to Make Leek And Butternut Squash Soup – Step by Step Guide

woman cooking Leek And Butternut Squash Soup on a stove
  1. To start with this butternut squash and leek soup recipe you have to prepare the veggies. For that, peel and dice the butternut into small pieces (this way, they will cook faster). Also, peel and chop the onion, and mince the garlic cloves. Lastly, wash and slice the leeks, then set everything aside.
  1. Now, heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Also, add chopped onions and leeks, and sauté until softened, for about 5 minutes. Then, add minced garlic and sauté for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
  1. After that, stir in the diced butternut squash, ground cumin, ground nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. The squash will soften a bit, but it will finish cooking later in this leek soup recipe.
  1. Then, pour in vegetable broth, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Let it simmer for about 25 minutes, or until the squash of this soup with leeks is tender.
  1. Once the squash is tender, remove the butternut leek soup from the heat. Use an immersion blender or transfer the mixture to a blender in batches to puree until smooth.
  1. Now, return the butternut squash leek soup to the pot, and stir in coconut milk (or heavy cream). Taste it and adjust seasoning according to taste. Reheat the soup gently over low heat for a couple of minutes if necessary.
  1. The recipe for leek and butternut squash soup is now ready. Serve it hot, garnished with fresh parsley or chives if desired.

Substitution of Ingredients

Leek And Butternut Squash Soup in 2 bowls on a white surface.

Recipes for leek soup, like this one, are versatile so they can go through various ingredient substitutions and modifications based on personal preferences and dietary needs.

For example, instead of squash, you can make this Spanish soup with the same amount of potatoes or pumpkin: they will offer a similar hearty and creamy texture to the dish.

Do you want this leek and butternut squash soup to have another layer of texture and flavor?

Then, you can include corn kernels, beans, peas, or lentils in the mix (just cook them before and add them in the final step while reheating the soup).

Try the orange lentil soup if you love lentils and are looking for a healthy and nutritious Spanish soup.

If you believe that soups must be hearty dishes or you simply love having some meat in your soups, then we have more Spanish soup recipes for you such as the Spanish bean soup with chorizo, chicken soup without noodles or the potato leek celery soup.

Tips on Serving Leek And Butternut Squash Soup

Leek And Butternut Squash Soup in a black bowl topped with seeds and cream

The leek and butternut soup is a fantastic dish that is commonly served as a main dish, but if you serve a smaller portion then it can work as an appetizer too.

To enhance the flavors of the leek and butternut squash soup, you can top it with a drizzle of balsamic reduction or a swirl of sour cream.

To add more texture, you can take inspiration from the Spanish bacon bean soup and add crumbled crispy bacon, providing a satisfying crunch and depth of flavor. 

Still looking for an extra crunch? Then top the best Spanish soup with toasted pumpkin seeds or your favorite mix of chopped and toasted nuts.

Add to your cookbook the cold pumpking soup, Spanish pumpkin soup and Pumpkin chorizo soup. The chilled leek soup is the latest to our cold soups collection

How to Store Leek And Butternut Squash Soup

How to Store Leek And Butternut Squash Soup. An open fridge with various vegetables and fruits in plastic containers.

Once you finish preparing this easy butternut squash and leek soup you can enjoy it right away or store it for later.

If you choose the latter, then let the soup cool to room temperature (for about 30 to 60 minutes) and pour it into an airtight, freezer-safe container.

After that, you will be able to store this mesmerizing butternut squash soup with leeks for up to 3 days in the fridge or 60 days in the freezer.

The leek and butternut squash soup maintains its original flavor and texture well when properly stored. if you notice any unusual changes in smell, taste, or appearance upon reheating, it’s advisable to avoid consuming it.

Did you know that there are more authentic Spanish soup recipes that you can make and store for later? Among them are classics like white fish soup and gluten-free chicken noodle soup.

Recipe Card: Leek And Butternut Squash Soup

Yield: 5

Leek And Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

Spanish Squash Soup in a black bowl topped with seeds and cream

Are you looking to incorporate more vegetables into your daily diet but tired of the same old salad routine? We have the perfect solution for you.

Spanish recipes come in all shapes and forms, and when it comes to the soup ones, they truly excel by skillfully blending a wide variety of vegetables and flavors.

The leek and butternut squash is an amazing example of that, and if you keep reading this article, you will learn how to make it from scratch, complete with invaluable tips for storing, serving, and customizing the ingredients.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 large butternut squash
  • 2 large leeks
  • 6 cups (1.5l) vegetable broth
  • 1 cup (240ml) coconut milk (or heavy cream, if preferred)
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 onion
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Peel and dice the butternut into small pieces (this way, they will cook faster). Peel and chop the onion, and mince the garlic cloves. Wash and slice the leeks, then set everything aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions and leeks, and sauté until softened, for about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Stir in diced butternut squash, ground cumin, ground nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Pour in vegetable broth, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Let it simmer for about 25 minutes, or until the squash is tender.
  5. Once the squash is tender, remove the butternut and leek soup from the heat. Use an immersion blender or transfer the mixture to a blender in batches to puree until smooth.
  6. Return the soup to the pot, and stir in coconut milk (or heavy cream). Adjust seasoning according to taste. Reheat the soup gently over low heat for a couple of minutes if necessary.
  7. You can now serve the leek and butternut squash soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley or chives if desired. 

Notes

If you can't find butternut squash, then you can turn it into a pumpkin leek soup by substituting an equal amount of diced pumpkin for the squash.

To spice things up in this butternut squash and leek soup, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of red pepper flakes for some heat.

Lastly, using coconut milk or heavy cream is completely up to you, but keep in mind that coconut milk will lend a slightly sweet and tropical note to the soup, while heavy cream will provide a richer and creamier texture.

Nutrition Information

Yield

5

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 736Total Fat 58.7gSaturated Fat 18.9gCholesterol 0mgSodium 460mgCarbohydrates 54.2gFiber 13.6gSugar 8.8gProtein 14g

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