Claire Wright
Serves: 4-6
Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 25 mins
Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
1 butternut squash, peeled and chopped into 1-inch cubes
500ml veg stock (or water)
400ml tin coconut milk
Salt & pepper to taste (and ¼ tsp nutmeg or cinnamon if you like!)
More:
Whip up a creamy, comforting squash soup in only 30 minutes. See how to make it in the video or follow step-by-step instructions below.
Method:
In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 mins until soft. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Add butternut squash cubes to the pot and cook, stirring frequently, for about 6-7 mins.
Pour in vegetable stock and coconut milk, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 mins until the squash is tender.
Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Engaging Kids
Kids who engage regularly with veg through veg-themed activities, such as arts and crafts, sensory experiences, growing and cooking are shown to be more likely to eat the veg they engage with. Encouraging kids to engage and play with veg is the handy first step to them developing a good relationship with veg and life-long healthy eating.
Kids in the kitchen
Kids could help you add in the squash and liquids, or assist you in carefully blending the soup until smooth.
Activities
Got a kid who loves science? Try dropping one of the seeds from the squash into a glass of fizzy water, and watch it rise up and sink down again and again until the bubbles run out – the carbon dioxide bubbles bring the seed up to the top! You can find more at-home science fun with veg with our videos from Stefan Gates’ here.
Sensory
Explore what a whole and halved squash look and feel like. What can you see? Encourage your child to use their imagination and descriptive language. Try feeling the difference between the inside and outside of the squash with your hands, and how does it make your hands feel after touching the inside? Try touching the seeds and seeing what they remind you of.
Watch our video from Ruth Platt for a visual guide to exploring butternut squash with your senses here. Find more sensory ideas, tips and videos here. If you get stuck and need a little help with describing words, we have a selection for you here, too!
Serving
Next time you make this meal and want to give your child an extra opportunity to get involved and engaged before eating, why not ask them to create an orange coloured centrepiece for the table? Can they find all orange items that make for an attractive display to match the squash?
Find the best ways of involving your own child and their skills and interests on our Roles for Kids page.
Claire Wright
Claire has been working with children, food and communications for over 15 years, and is our Editor at Veg Power, helping translate expert advice into small, practical steps for busy families, and creating recipes that are actually simple.
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