Luminaria's $4.25 Awesome Acorn Squash Soup Recipe!

Luminaria Sanctuary's
$4.25 Awesome Acorn Squash Soup!

From our heart to yours!

We just invented this soup after a cold, wet hike back from the hot springs. It is totally easy, cheap, and really, really comforting and yummy! All measurements are approximate and to taste, so get creative. You really can't wreck this one!  Have fun!

We suggest all ingredients be organic and local/homegrown where possible.

1-2 large acorn squash
1 can/8 oz coconut, almond, or rice milk

1/3 cup almond butter

4 Tablespoons butter/earth balance

1+ cup water
1/4+ tsp cinnamon
>1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp salt
>1/4 cup raw sugar or maple syrup (Optional)

STEPS:
Wash your squash. Cut into chunks and remove seeds. Set seeds aside to rinse and dry for replanting next year and you'll have FREE squash in the future!

Place chunks upright in steamer pot with skin facing up (cooks faster). Steam with a tight-fitting lid until squash is thoroughly soft, about 20 min.

Sustainable tip: Water NEVER gets hotter than boiling! It simply evaporates and gets cooler! Turn your heat down to just barely boiling. As long as there is a little steam, it will cook your food just as quickly, without wasting resources. In fact, you can turn the heat OFF 5 min before food is done cooking. The ambient heat in the pot will finish cooking your food. Just keep the lid closed!

Open steamer and allow squash to cool long enough to be able to handle it without getting burned. Take out the steamed squash and use a spoon to scoop the flesh from the skin, placing the flesh in a bowl. Discard skin in compost.

Pour remaining water from steamer pot and place squash from bowl back into the steamer pot. Place on low heat. Add the coconut (or equivalent) milk, cinnamon and nutmeg, butter, salt, and almond butter. Add sweetener if desired. Use a whisk to blend well, adding water as necessary to achieve the consistency you like for your soup. You can also use a blender or hand blender if you want really smooth soup.

Warm over low heat and blend until the desired temperature and texture for serving. Garnish with mint leaf, raw chocolate shavings, or a sweet cream drizzle. Perfectly accompanied by a steamed veggie side, fresh bread and butter, or whatever you like! Serves 4-6 people. OMG sooo yummy! Enjoy!

www.luminariasanctuary.com