A Perfect Blend of Seasonal Flavors: Squash, Cider, and Apple Soup

Nothing warms a heart or a belly faster than a delicious, homemade bowl of soup. And as we’re inching closer to Thanksgiving and the colder season, there’s never been a better time to try this uniquely fall recipe. Whether you make it in your vacation rental to enjoy after a full day of exploring Cannon Beach or from the comforts of your own kitchen, this Squash, Cider, and Apple Soup recipe will quickly become one of your favorites. Check out the recipe below and give it a try this holiday season.

Squash, Cider and Apple Soup

The real flavor kicker comes from the reduced cider mixture - just pour it into a skillet or wide saucepan and let it boil down while the vegetables cook. The finished soup is laced with cinnamon and clove, and, at that point, the aroma becomes too much to resist.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 cups peeled and diced butternut squash
• 2 large apples (any kind), peeled, cored, and chopped
• 3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 ½ cups fresh cider
• 2 tablespoons firmly packed light brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Large pinch of ground cloves

Melt the butter in a medium-sized soup pot or large saucepan over moderate heat. Stir in the onion, cover, and sweat for 10 minutes.

Add the squash, apples, stock, salt, and bay leaf to the pot. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to moderately low, cover, and simmer the soup until the squash and apples are very soft, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat.

As the soup simmers, pour the cider into a medium-sized skillet, bring to a boil, and reduce to 4 or 5 tablespoons; you don’t have to be too precise about it. Remove from heat.

Remove the bay leaf from the soup, then spoon the solids into a food processor. Process the mixture until smooth, then stir it back into the broth. Add the reduced cider. Reheat the soup, stirring in the brown sugar and spices. Serve piping hot.

Makes 5-6 servings.
Adapted from Soup Makes the Meal
*I like to roast the butternut squash and apples first.

Imagine a home filled with the delicious aroma of fall flavors as this soup simmers on your stovetop. It’s altogether cozy and inviting, welcoming you to sink into the comforts of the season.

Many Cannon Beach vacation rentals come with fully equipped kitchens, so if you’re visiting and looking to spend a night in, this Squash, Cider, and Apple Soup is the perfect dinner. Likewise, it makes a great addition to your fall recipe repertoire. We hope you try it and enjoy it as much as we do!

For more great recipes, be sure to visit our Cannon Beach blog, and when planning your vacation, remember you can book directly with Beachcomber Vacation Homes. Browse our vacation rentals to find the perfect place for you and your family.