Taste Fall Flavors with Kabocha Squash Soup

Last weekend I tried the most delicious kabocha squash soup at a camping resort in Big Sur, California. The squashes were grown on site in their organic garden and it was the perfect thick soup to warm up with on a chilly, foggy night. When I asked how the chef prepared the soup, I was told it was a simple vegan puree with fresh herbs a little bit of spice. As I marveled at how delicious each creamy spoonful was, I was reminded yet again at how simple meals like this really allow the true flavor of the ingredients to shine through. Right now, squashes are everywhere! Butternut squash has always been the darling of the fall soup world, but I urge you to step out of the box a little bit and try kabocha squash. Youve probably seen them at the store before---they look like wrinkly green pumpkins? When roasted, the flesh of the squash takes on a mellow sweet taste and is absolutely wonderful cubed up into salads or pureed into soups like this one. This soup is easy to make, filling and delicious. Youll never believe its dairy-free!

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Jenna Weber is half of the Fresh Tastes blog team. She graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in 2008 and, since then, has worked as a pastry chef, bread baker and freelance food editor. Currently, Jenna blogs full-time on EatLiveRun.com where her delicious daily recipes and quirky culinary musings appeal to thousands. She lives in Northern California and, when not in the kitchen, can usually be found on her yoga mat.