Butternut, Apple, and Parsnip Soup with Smoked Duck

Hello/Bonjour! Long time no see. My self-imposed winter break lasted a little longer than I originally intended, but now I am back and raring to go.

Let’s get right to this soup. It is perfect in every way you hope a January soup will be. It is oh so easy to make (like, actually easy), and quite economical too. If you make it a day ahead, it will only taste better upon reheating. It freezes beautifully. (Make a double batch to tuck into the freezer for some other night.)

The squash, apple, and parsnip balance together famously. The soup itself is a little sweet, a little sharp, and incredibly rich in flavor, while low in calories. (You know I don’t normally care about such things, but what with January being a month of resolutions, I figured it was worth mentioning.)

The only bad part about this soup is peeling the butternut squash. I abhor peeling butternut squash. Alas, we can’t have everything in life.

A note on the duck: If you can’t find smoked duck, you are welcome to simply cook up a regular duck breast. Serve it alongside the soup, or sliver a few pieces on top, and save the rest for sandwiches.

A note on the pineau vinegar: I understand this isn’t something most people have around the house. You can substitute apple cider vinegar, or any other fruity, winey vinegar.

A note on the vegetable stock: Stocks are important; they are the building block of savory cooking. It’s vital to use the best stock you can find. I use Brooklyn Bouillon, because it’s simply the best. (As usual, no one is paying me to say this, but for the record, I accept payment in the form of lamb breast recipes and diamond earrings.)

A note on Vegetarian/Vegan/Dairy-Free soup: Without the duck, this is a vegetarian soup. Omit the butter too, if you are vegan or dairy-free.

Stay tuned next week for some really special recipes inspired by Kinderhook Farm.

Makes 2 big bowls

Ingredients:

  • 1 small white onion
  • 1 parsnip
  • 1 apple
  • 1 small butternut squash
  • 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 3 cups vegetable stock, divided
  • 1 sprig of thyme
  • 1 tablespoon Pineau vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • sea salt, black pepper
  • 6 ounces (a few slices) smoked duck breast

Procedure: 

1. It is easiest to prepare the fruit and vegetables before you get started on the soup: Mince the onion. Peel and roughly chop the parsnip and the apple. Peel the butternut squash; I know it’s terrible annoying. Cut the squash in half, spoon out the seeds, and then roughly chop the squash.

apple

butternut squash, peeled and halved

2. Now warm the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter in a medium-sized soup pot, over medium heat. Wait until the butter is gently foaming, and then add the onion; sweat until translucent. Add the parsnip, the apple, and the squash. Give everything a good stir. Add 1 cup of the vegetable stock and the thyme sprig, and the put the lid on the soup pot.

squash, apple, parsnip, thyme

3. Leave the fruit and vegetables alone to soften for 20 minutes. You are looking for squash soft enough to be easily squished with a fork. When everything is almost mushy, add the remainder of the stock, and let it come to a simmer. Remove the thyme sprig.

4. It’s time to puree the soup. I use an emersion blender, but feel free to use a regular blender as well. (Or, if you like chunky soup, just mash it with a large fork or potato masher.) You can also run the soup through a sieve, if you want it super velvety, but I don’t find this step necessary.

blended squash soup

5. Adjust the seasoning: stir in the tablespoon of vinegar, as well as the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add salt and pepper, to taste.

6. On to the duck breast. It’s not a terrible idea to let it sizzle away in a pan for a few minutes, skin side down, just to make the fat a bit crispy. Now slice the breast thinly, and divide it amongst the soup bowls.

squash soup

butternut squash soup, vertical

4 Comments

  1. isabelle

    It’s your version! Great!

  2. CAROL

    I wouldn’t have the duck easily, but the rest of the soup looks to be awesome. I love parsnips. I think they are underused in recipes. I have bought the ingredients so I ready to take the plunge.

  3. Isabelle LO

    Lovely recipe.
    The parsnip looked so bad at the market I chose sweet potatoes instead.
    The result is certainly sweeter, very nice in any case.
    What about little bits of smoked ham with some slices of duck breast to give more of a “fumé” taste?
    I am not sure this will be revelant, though.

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