Winter Squash and Chard

It’s soup season, folks! Celebrate properly by pulling out your coziest sweater, slipping on your favorite socks, and curling up with a bowl of this Winter Squash and Chard Soup. Winter squash comes in so many shapes, sizes, varieties, and textures! Use a couple different varieties in this recipe to add greater dimension and keep things fresh. This soup is densely nutritious with a host of veggies and spices. It even calls for a little hot sauce to kick things up a notch! Gluten-free and vegan, this recipe will satisfy all kind of diets as you cook your way through the flavors of the season.

Serves 6

Total time: 60–70 min

Gluten-free, vegan

¼ cup olive oil

1 large leek, halved and sliced

2 teaspoons salt, divided

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 medium carrots, diced

3 ribs celery, diced

4 teaspoons Herbs de Provence

2 pounds winter squash, peeled and cubed

1-15 ounce can diced tomatoes

6 cups vegetable broth

1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce

1 bunch chard, stemmed and chopped

1.       Heat oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add leek, garlic, and ½ teaspoon salt, and cook, stirring frequently until softened, 3 minutes. Add carrots, celery and Herbs de Provence. Cover and cook, removing lid to stir often until the vegetables are starting to soften, 5 minutes.

2.       Add squash, tomatoes, broth, Sriracha sauce, and remaining salt and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook until the squash is tender, but not falling apart, about 15 minutes.

3.       Add chard and continue to cook until chard has wilted, 2 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve.