I didn’t come to appreciate winter squash until later in life. Not that I really remember being served it much as a kid – but if I had been, I wouldn’t have touched the stuff. The closest thing I remember regularly encountering was that marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole served at Thanksgiving, which isn’t even squash, but in my mind they were one and the same – orange, mushy, and no thank you.
In adulthood, I expanded my palate in many ways, though I was still a late squash adopter. Names like “butternut” and “spaghetti squash” drew me in, but were disappointments at first. Butternut squash tasted neither like butter or like nuts; spaghetti squash was most definitely not pasta.
Luckily, I kept at it, and now I’m a convert. Butternut squash, especially roasted or pureed into soups like it is in this Slow Cooker Thai Curry Butternut Squash Soup, is one of my very favorite fall foods. And thank goodness for that, because I was missing out.
This time of year, I can’t help but pick up a squash or two every time I shop for groceries. So this beautiful butternut sat aimlessly on my kitchen counter for a bit, until one morning, I decided it needed to become soup for dinner that night. I chopped it up, added veggie broth, an onion, and some salt, and let it simmer all day in the Crock Pot. A quick puree, a generous scoop of Thai red curry paste, a can of coconut milk and dinner was on the table.
I love simple recipes like this! The butternut squash is smooth and creamy; the Thai red curry imparts a ton of flavor and a touch of heat that keep this soup nice and interesting considering how truly simple it is. No marshmallows in sight.
More simple vegetarian soup recipes:
- 5-Ingredient Roasted Carrot Ginger Soup – so easy and full of so much flavor.
- Simple Lentil Vegetable Soup – a seriously satisfying bowlful.
- 25-Minute Comforting Vegetable Soup – love how quickly this one comes together.
- Chickpea & Rice Soup – even chicken lovers love this one.
- Bean without Bacon Soup – reminds me of the childhood classic, but, of course, no bacon!