Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

I sort of made this one up as I went along...lol. Was so yummy, I didn't want to forget!! Roasting the butternut squash adds a really sweet, intense carmelized flavor tot he finished soup. (YUM< YUM) **Couple of notes: I used the already-peeled-and-seeded butternut squashes from Whole Foods. They come halved but NOT already cubed. I believe there were five (5) halves in the bag. I actually used 1 1/2 tsp of Cinamon PLUS, from Pampered Chef (which has cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, clove, ginger etc.) as well as 1 tsp plain cinnamon and 1/2 tsp ground ginger. PLEASE feel free to play with the spices as you see fit!

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 2 1⁄2  butternut squash, seeded and peeled
• 3  garlic cloves
• 1  tablespoon olive oil
•  salt and pepper, to taste
• 1  teaspoon olive oil
• 1  large yellow onion, chopped
• 2  celery hearts, chopped
• 2  teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
• 1  tablespoon  Earth Balance margarine
• 1  bay leaf
• 1⁄4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 32  ounces  vegetable stock
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1⁄4 teaspoon clove
• 1⁄4 teaspoon allspice (optional)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1  tablespoon dark brown sugar
•  salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Chop butternut squash into 1-2" pieces.
2. Drizzle with oilive oil, salt and pepper, and roast with the whole garlic cloves in a 425 degree oven for 45 minutes.
3. While squash roasts, add tsp of oil to a soup stock pot over medium heat.
4. Add margarine, onions, celery, salt, pepper, ginger, crushed red pepper if using) and saute for 10-12 minutes, or until soft and fragrant.
5. Add cinamon (nutmeg, clove, ginger) and mix well.
6. Add a cup or so of the vegetable broth, stir to scrape up any bits stuck to the bottom.
7. Transfer cooked veggies and broth to a blender and puree until smooth.
8. Return to soup pot.
9. When squash is finished roasting, transfer squash and remaining stock to blender and puree until smooth. I did this in three batches - equal parts squash and vegetable stock.
10. Return pureed squash to soup pot, add brown sugar, and simmer on low for 15-20 minutes.
11. Check spices, salt and pepper. Adjust as needed. Enjoy!