1/2cupchopped leeks,white and pale green parts only
3cupschicken stock
1/2teaspoonground cinnamon
1/4teaspoonground or grated nutmeg
1/4cupmaple syrup
1/4cuphalf & half
Instructions
Preheat oven to 450. Lightly coat a shallow baking pan with olive oil. Arrange squash in baking pan, cut side down, with 1 cup of water. Bake for 45 minutes or until soft. Remove from pan and spoon out the pulp. Transfer pulp to a blender and puree until smooth (or use an immersion blender). Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan, add the remaining vegetables, and cook over medium-low heat until they begin to soften. Add the stock, squash puree, cinnamon and nutmeg. Simmer, covered, for 40 minutes. Stir in the maple syrup and half and half and then simmer, uncovered, for another 5 minutes. Use an immersion blender to smooth, or serve with the yummy bits. Add salt if needed.
(If you want to make this vegan, simply swap out the chicken stock for vegetable and the half and half for soy milk)