Ingredients:

Soup
1 butternut squash, about 2lb

2 quarts vegetable stock

2 cups cream

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 shallots, peeled and thinly sliced

1⁄2 teaspoon ground green cardamom

1 tablespoon sherry vinegar

Zest of one lemon

Kosher salt to taste

 Brioche crouton:
2 slices Brioche bread, cut into 1 inch sticks

2 tablespoons olive oil

Zest of half of a lemon

1⁄4 teaspoon ground green cardamom

Instructions:

Soup
1. Split squash in half, and scoop out seeds. Season with salt and green cardamom. Roast at 350F for one hour. Set aside to cool, then scoop the squash out of it’s skin.

2. In a large pot, sweat shallots over medium heat until translucent, about 2 minutes. Add roasted squash, and sauté for 2 minutes. Add sherry vinegar to deglaze.

3. Add cream and stock and bring to a simmer. Let simmer for 5 minutes, then blend until smooth.

4. Pour soup through a strainer into a clean pot a bring to a simmer. Season with salt and lemon zest.

5. Serve with crème fraiche on top and brioche crouton.

Brioche Crouton
1. Coat brioche with olive oil

2. Sprinkle on lemon zest and green cardamom.

3. Toast at 350F for 7 minutes, or until crispy

Pair with 2019 Chardonnay »