Oh fall: you’re here. Not necessarily in temperature (although last night it was SERIOUSLY nice – no humidity, and we sat on the porch with a glass of wine for a while. Glorious!), but in spirit. I am so ready to get into the swing even more with some of my recipes. Fall is one of those times I really enjoy eating a bowl of soup with a big green salad for dinner, and I knew the first one I had to create would be a fall squash soup. I couldn’t resist.
Over the past few years, I’ve noticed some shifts with my cooking and eating habits. I don’t know if it is my age or if I just had a moment of clarity, but the concept of eating more whole foods and less processed foods has really become a goal of mine. I’ve thought harder about what it is I am putting into my body. Is my food filled with chemicals and ingredients I can’t even pronounce? Do I even know what they are or how they affect me?
The pantry purge began. I decided to inform myself a bit more on what I was ingesting. Our home was relatively low on processed foods in general, but there were (and are) some exceptions. Everyone will have them. Thankfully, I have a grocery store/market routine that seems to work well for me: stick to the outskirts of the store. I would say 90% of my grocery cart is filled with produce, along with dairy products. I have to venture to the interior aisles to grab some essentials like rice and beans, but I try to avoid the processed foods as much as possible and stick to products with ingredients I can read and understand. The more food without labels (aka produce), the better!
And when I do have to include pre-made ingredients, it is ideal when I can find something that I could feasibly create on my own. For example – the vegetable broth included in this soup. I know I could make it myself, but the organic vegetable broth I picked up is clearly something that I could make. But hey – I didn’t have time for that and I don’t feel guilty about it! But it did get me thinking about how I should create some of my own vegetable broth for future recipes. It shouldn’t be hard, right?
Of course, I’m not going to be perfect. Case in point: although I DID give up soda/caffeine, I’m still going to drink one every once in a while. And sometimes a little indulgence is totally fine.
But why go for processed foods when you can have really wonderful, flavorful unprocessed items made with whole foods? Honestly, I find fresh to be best. Could you go an entire month without eating any processed foods? That’s the question I’m curious about today, and honestly I don’t think it’s as hard as you’d think at first! Today, the Sunday Supper family is partnering up with the October Unprocessed challenge to provide you with recipes containing no processed ingredients. There is a lot of inspiration to be had – make sure you check them out!
This fall squash soup is certainly simple, and it can be served up as a main course for a fall evening. Alternately, it would make a great side dish or appetizer. This recipe made enough for about 6 servings, so you may even find yourself with some leftovers. It makes a great next day lunch, paired with a salad on the side or a panini to dip. The consistency is thick enough to coat your spoon, but not so much that you can stand your spoon in it. Warm and comforting – I am loving it.
What is your favorite fall soup to enjoy?
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Here are all of the unprocessed recipes created by the Sunday Supper family today!!!!
Alluring Appetizers and Snacks
- Baked Beet Chips by The Dinner-Mom
- Black Bean and Corn Salsa by What Smells So Good?
- Crispy Tex-Mex Quinoa Patties by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Curried Apple Chips by The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Homemade Energy Bars by The Foodie Army Wife
- Homemade Fennel-Maple Mustard by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Honey Thyme Chicken by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Raw Salted Chocolate Chip Oat Healthy Bars by Wallflour Girl
- Stuffed Peppadew Peppers by An Appealing Plan
Stunning Sides
- Autumn Panzanella by Crazy Foodie Stunts
- Basic Roasted Cauliflower by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Brioche Dinner Rolls by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Homemade Hash Browns by Basic N Delicious
- Indian Spiced Dal and Sag Aloo by Happy Baking Days
- Roasted Parsnips and Carrots with Maple Syrup and Cardamom by Kudos Kitchen by Renee
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Spicy Smashed Fingerling Potatoes by Magnolia Days
- Stuffed Acorn Squash by Rhubarb and Honey
- Sweet Potato and Carrot Hash by Fit Foodie Runs
- Sweet Potato Fries by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Sweet Potato Noodles and Brussels Sprouts Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Whole Grain, No-Knead Sourdough Bread by Peaceful Cooking
Enticing Entreés
- Authentic Chicken Tinga by Shockingly Delicious
- Baked Zucchini with Spicy Tomatoes by Food Lust People Love
- Chicken and Sweet Potatoes by MealDiva
- Chinese Five Spice Chicken Stir Fry by Nosh My Way
- Coconut Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Dip by Casa de Crews
- Easy Slow Cooker Chili by Amee’s Savory Dish
- Fall Squash Soup by Ruffles & Truffles
- Grilled Burgers with Garlicky Arugula by Cooking Chat
- Homemade Gnocchi with Peas and Pesto by Curious Cuisiniere
- Jacket Potato Party by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Mom’s Homemade Vegetarian Meatballs by The Life and Loves of Grumpy’s Honeybunch
- Pumpkin & Italian Sausage Pasta by Confessions of a Culinary Diva
- Seared Pork Stack by annaDishes
- Stuffed Sweet Potatoes by Momma’s Meals
- White Bean Pesto Stew by eating in instead
Decadent Desserts
- Gluten Free Peanut Butter Blondies by Pies and Plots
- Raw Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake by Killer Bunnies, Inc
- Vegan Mini Chocolate Cream Cakes by NinjaBaking.com
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My favorite fall soup, well, so hard to pick just one. I really enjoy lots of soups for fall and winter too. I’m thinking this one will be on that list.
I’m excited for that soup/stew/chili season to be upon us!
Looks good! I was wondering what your topping was. We really enjoyed the squash soup we had with sauteed mushrooms a few Sunday Suppers ago, in response to your question about favorites.
My husband would probably LOVE it topped with mushrooms!
I just enjoyed a squash soup at Panera yesterday…Yours looks delish!
My mom tried theirs last time we were there!
Your soup looks wonderful and I love that you used two types of squash and carrots!
Thanks Shelby! Lots of good stuff going on in there…but I’m biased!
I do think age has something to do with it along with confidence in your ability to cook and create unprocessed foods.
The soup looks delicious, and I can’t wait for fall weather – we are still 102 in Palm Springs.
It’s so funny to compare the way I ate 10 years ago with how I eat now. I’m a different person….for sure!
Double squash, carrots and thyme! Sounds like the makings for an irresistible soup!
You can’t go wrong with soup, I say!
Phew, fall is definitely here for us! It went down to the 30s last night and I am loving it! Now, I can eat soup like this and not feel weird about it. I just had something similar at Panera but your version looks so much better.
I am still waiting for the cooler temperatures to actually sink in more permanently. Yesterday was a high of 77, which was fabulous…but it will be back up to mid 80s today. Dang it!
This would be in my top 5 of my favorite fall soups. Love the color and love that you added sunflower seeds to finish! Great recipe!!!
Squash soup is one of my favorites!
Loved your reflections on this week’s theme! And this soup–absolutely up my alley and totally going on my to-do list. Thanks so much for sharing, and it’s great to meet you!
There is ginger mentioned in Step 4, but it is not listed in the ingredient list. Was it inadvertently omitted or mistakenly mentioned in the directions? Thank you.
Oh boy…thanks for catching that Kathy! I actually listed it as garlic in the ingredients list instead of ginger – my brain wasn’t working properly when I typed that!
Thank you. I love ginger, but either way, I think this sounds amazing and can’t wait to make it.
Looks comforting!