Hearty Pumpkin Chowder (or Butternut Squash)

Warm, filling and savory! This is a rich easy chunky homemade soup that really satisfies. I leave out the ham and use vegetable stock sometimes and it becomes a yummy vegetarian dish.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons butter
• 1  cup onion, diced
• 1  cup celery, chopped
• 4  cups pumpkin, peeled and cut in 1 inch chunks or 4  cups  butternut squash, prepared the same way
• 2  tablespoons  peeled fresh ginger
• 2  tablespoons  chopped garlic
• 3  cups chicken broth
• 1  cup  diced peeled potato
• 1 1⁄2 cups lima beans, frozen
• 1  cup corn kernel
• 1  small red bell pepper, diced
• 1  cup ham, chunks bite sized
• 4  cups milk
• 1⁄2 cup flour
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions

1. Saute onion, celery, pumpkin, ginger and garlic in butter 5 minutes over medium heat.
2. Stir in broth, potatoes, lima beans, corn and bell pepper.
3. Boil then cover and simmer 15 minutes.
4. Add ham.
5. Whisk milk, flour, salt and nutmeg in a medium bowl.
6. Stir milk mixture into pot and bring to boil.
7. Stir a few minutes until thickened.