Winter Squash Soup with Gruyere Croutons

The croutons are a vital part of this recipe.

Soup

• 1/4 cup ( 1/2 stick) butter
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 4 large garlic cloves, chopped
• 3 14 1/2-ounce cans low-salt chicken broth
• 4 cups 1-inch pieces peeled butternut squash (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 4 cups 1-inch pieces peeled acorn squash (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 1 1/4 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
• 1 1/4 teaspoons minced fresh sage
• 1/4 cup whipping cream
• 2 teaspoons sugar

Croutons

• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
• 24 1/4-inch-thick baguette bread slices
• 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh sage

For soup:
Melt butter in large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until tender, about 10 minutes. Add broth, all squash and herbs; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until squash is very tender, about 20 minutes.

Working in batches, puree soup in blender. Return soup to same pot. Stir in cream and sugar; bring to simmer. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Chill. Rewarm over medium heat before serving.)

For croutons:
Preheat broiler. Butter 1 side of each bread slice. Arrange bread, buttered side up, on baking sheet. Broil until golden, about 1 minute. Turn over. Sprinkle cheese, then thyme and sage over. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil until cheese melts, about 1 minute. Ladle soup into bowls. Top each with croutons and serve

Notes: I made this a couple of days ago and it was amazingly good. I did read some reviews and followed the advise…cut the squash in two, throw away seeds,  place cut side down in a pan (I put mine on a silpat).  I also placed the garlic cloves in the cavity, unpeeled. Roast at 350 for about 1 hour. Cool slightly and add to sautéed onions with broth. Puree. Definitely use the croutons. It is really good. I also didn’t add as much broth. I used the 2 cans and then added until it was the consistency I wanted, so maybe 1/3 of the last can was used.