Squash Soup With Parmesan Croutons Recipe

The Art of Making Squash Soup With Parmesan Croutons

There’s nothing like a warm bowl of squash soup to comfort you on a chilly day. Squash soup is a creamy, velvety, and flavorful dish that can be enjoyed as a starter, a main course, or even a dessert. It’s easy to make, versatile, and nutritious. And to make it even more delicious, you can top it with some crunchy and cheesy parmesan croutons.

But how do you make the perfect squash soup with parmesan croutons? What kind of squash should you use? How do you cut and cook it season and blend it? How do you make the croutons? And how do you serve and store it? In this article, we’ll answer all these questions and more. We’ll show you the art of making squash soup with parmesan croutons, and give you some tips and tricks to make it the best it can be.

What’s in Squash Soup With Parmesan Croutons?

The main ingredient of squash soup is, of course, squash. But not all squashes are created equal. There are many varieties of squash, such as butternut, acorn, kabocha, delicata, spaghetti, and pumpkin. Each one has its own shape, color, texture, and flavor. Some are sweeter, some are nuttier, some are firmer, and some are softer.

For squash soup, you want to choose a squash that has a smooth and creamy flesh, a sweet and rich flavor, and a vibrant and appealing color. The most popular choice is butternut squash, which has all these qualities and is widely available. But you can also use other types of squash, such as kabocha, delicata, or pumpkin. You can even mix and match different squashes to create your own unique blend.

The other ingredients of squash soup are simple and basic, but they make a big difference in the final result. You’ll need some onion, garlic, butter, chicken or vegetable stock, salt, pepper, and cream. These ingredients will add depth, aroma, and richness to your soup. You can also add some herbs and spices, such as sage, thyme, rosemary, nutmeg, cinnamon, or curry, to enhance the flavor and add some warmth and complexity.

For the parmesan croutons, you’ll need some bread, butter, garlic, and parmesan cheese. You can use any kind of bread, such as white, wheat, sourdough, or baguette. You can also use stale or leftover bread, as it will crisp up better in the oven. The butter, garlic, and parmesan cheese will add some moisture, flavor, and crunch to your croutons. You can also sprinkle some salt, pepper, and herbs, such as parsley, basil, or oregano, to make them more savory and aromatic.

Should I Cook the Squash?

The first step of making squash soup is to prepare the squash. This involves peeling, seeding, and chopping it into small pieces. This can be a bit tricky, as squash can be hard and tough to cut. But don’t worry, we have some tips to make it easier for you.

One tip is to microwave the squash for a few minutes before cutting it. This will soften the skin and the flesh, and make it easier to peel and chop. Another tip is to use a sharp and sturdy knife, and cut the squash in half first. Then, scoop out the seeds and the stringy pulp with a spoon, and peel the skin with a vegetable peeler or a knife. Finally, cut the squash into small and even pieces, about an inch or two in size.

The next step is to cook the squash. There are two main methods to do this: roasting and boiling. Roasting involves baking the squash in the oven, while boiling involves simmering the squash in a pot of water or stock. Both methods have their pros and cons, and it’s up to you to decide which one you prefer.

Roasting the squash will give it a more caramelized and concentrated flavor, as the natural sugars in the squash will brown and intensify in the oven. It will also give it a more golden and attractive color, and a more firm and dry texture. However, roasting the squash will take longer, about 40 to 50 minutes, and it will require more oil or butter to prevent it from drying out or burning.

Boiling the squash will give it a more mild and subtle flavor, as the water or stock will dilute some of the natural sugars in the squash. It will also give it a more pale and bland color, and a more soft and wet texture. However, boiling the squash will take shorter, about 15 to 20 minutes, and it will require less oil or butter to cook it.

Tips for Making the Best Squash Soup With Parmesan Croutons

Once you have cooked the squash, you are ready to make the soup. This is the easiest and most fun part of the process, as you can customize it to your liking. Here are some tips for making the best squash soup with parmesan croutons.

To make the soup, you’ll need to sauté some onion and garlic in butter in a large pot over medium-high heat, until soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Then, add the cooked squash, stock, salt, pepper, and any herbs or spices you like, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer the soup until the squash is very tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Finally, puree the soup with an immersion blender, a food processor, or a blender, until smooth and creamy. You can also add some cream to make the soup richer and silkier, or some water to thin it out if it’s too thick.
To make the croutons, you’ll need to preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, cut the bread into small cubes, about half an inch in size. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt some butter and add some minced garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Drizzle the butter mixture over the bread cubes, and toss to coat. Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, and sprinkle some grated parmesan cheese and salt, pepper, and herbs over them. Bake the croutons until golden and crisp, about 15 to 20 minutes, tossing them halfway through.
To serve the soup, ladle it into bowls and top it with some croutons and more parmesan cheese if desired. You can also garnish the soup with some fresh herbs, such as parsley, basil, or cilantro, or some nuts, such as pumpkin seeds, walnuts, or pistachios, for some extra crunch and flavor. Enjoy your soup while it’s hot, or let it cool slightly if you prefer.

Budget Saving Tips!

Squash soup with parmesan croutons is a delicious and satisfying dish, but it can also be a budget-friendly one. Here are some ways to save money while making this dish.

Buy squash when it’s in season, which is usually from late summer to early winter. Squash will be cheaper, fresher, and more flavorful during this time. You can also buy squash in bulk and store it in a cool and dry place for several weeks, or cut it up and freeze it for several months.
Use homemade stock instead of store-bought stock. Homemade stock is cheaper, healthier, and tastier than store-bought stock, and you can make it with leftover bones, scraps, and vegetables that you have in your fridge or freezer. Just simmer them in a large pot of water with some salt, pepper, and herbs for a few hours, and strain the liquid. You can also freeze the stock in ice cube trays or ziplock bags for later use.
Use stale or leftover bread for the croutons. Stale or leftover bread is perfect for making croutons, as it will crisp up better in the oven. You can also use any kind of bread, such as white, wheat, sourdough, or baguette, and cut it into small cubes. You can also freeze the bread cubes in ziplock bags for later use.
Use less or no cream for the soup. Cream adds richness and silkiness to the soup, but it also adds calories and fat. You can reduce the amount of cream you use, or skip it altogether, and still have a creamy and velvety soup. You can also use milk, yogurt, or coconut milk instead of cream, for a lighter and healthier alternative.

What to serve with Squash Soup With Parmesan Croutons?

Squash soup with parmesan croutons is a hearty and delicious dish that can be enjoyed on its own or with some simple accompaniments. Here are some ideas of what to serve with squash soup with parmesan croutons:

Salad: A fresh and crisp salad can balance the richness of the soup and add some extra vitamins and fiber to your meal. You can toss some greens, such as spinach, kale, or arugula, with your favorite dressing and toppings, such as nuts, cheese, dried fruits, or roasted vegetables.
Bread: Nothing beats a warm and crusty bread to dip into the creamy soup and soak up the flavors. You can choose any bread you like, such as sourdough, baguette, ciabatta, or focaccia. You can also toast the bread and rub some garlic on it for extra flavor.
Sandwich: If you want to make your soup more filling, you can pair it with a sandwich of your choice. You can use any bread and fillings you like, such as ham, cheese, turkey, chicken, tuna, or veggie. You can also add some condiments, such as mustard, mayo, pesto, or hummus, to enhance the taste.
Cheese: Cheese and squash are a match made in heaven, so why not serve some cheese with your soup? You can choose any cheese you like, such as cheddar, brie, goat, or blue cheese. You can either slice the cheese and serve it on a board with some crackers, or melt the cheese and drizzle it over the soup for a decadent treat.

Storing & Reheating Squash Soup With Parmesan Croutons

Squash soup with parmesan croutons is a great dish to make ahead and enjoy later. Here are some tips on how to store and reheat squash soup with parmesan croutons:

Storing: You can store the soup and the croutons separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Make sure to cool the soup completely before storing it, and label the containers with the date of preparation.
Reheating: You can reheat the soup in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until hot and bubbly. You can also reheat the soup in the microwave, in a microwave-safe bowl, for about 2 minutes, stirring halfway. Reheat the croutons in the oven, on a baking sheet, for about 10 minutes, or until crisp and golden. You can also reheat the croutons in the toaster, for a few minutes, or until crisp and golden.
Serving: You can serve the soup and the croutons as they are, or garnish them with some fresh herbs, such as parsley, basil, or thyme, for some extra color and flavor. You can also sprinkle some extra parmesan cheese over the soup and the croutons, for some extra cheesiness