The Update

Dine on a Dime: Spicy Thai Winter Squash Soup

8 servings | $15.04 | $1.88 per serving

Level: Easy | Prep time: 15 minutes; Cook time: 50 minutes; Total time: 1 hour, 5 minutes

Cozy up with hardy winter squash, a must-have staple for health-conscious home cooks. This recipe from The Bite is everything a winter soup should be: it’s savory, warms your bones, and has a spicy kick—it is just the dish to carry you through to spring. If you have 4 cups of veggie scraps, you can save dollars by making your own vegetable broth. Get the Spicy Thai Winter Squash Soup recipe from our partners at Rio Grande Credit Union.

Ingredients 

• 2 medium winter squash (we use butternut and Long Island cheese pumpkin) ($6.26)
• 3 tablespoons avocado oil or vegetable oil ($0.12)
• 2 medium yellow onions, chopped ($1.78)
• 8 garlic cloves, chopped ($0.64)
• 2–4 tablespoons chile paste (we use Kinna’s Laos Chile Paste) ($1.50)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin ($0.04)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander ($0.04)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric ($0.18)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger ($0.18)
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper ($0.04)
• 6 cups vegetable broth ($2.85)
• 1/2 cup coconut milk ($1.08)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce ($0.15)
• 2 teaspoons honey (can substitute maple syrup or agave syrup) ($0.12)
• 2 teaspoons salt ($0.06)
• Coconut milk, cilantro, sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Cut squash in half lengthwise, remove the seeds, and place cut side down on the baking pan. Bake for 25–35 minutes, until the squash is tender.
3. Add oil and onions to a large stockpot or dutch oven over medium-high heat; saute for 3–4 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add garlic.
4. Using a spoon, scoop out the roasted squash into the pot. Discard squash shells. Mix everything well, then add chile paste, seasonings, and pepper, and stir. Add vegetable broth, coconut milk, soy sauce, and honey; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and let simmer for 15 minutes.
5. Transfer the soup to a blender (or use an immersion blender) to puree. Return to pot and stir in 2 teaspoons salt (or to taste). Serve in bowls and garnish with coconut milk, cilantro, and sesame seeds.

Earn Rewards for Groceries

Don't forget your RGCU Rewards when you go grocery shopping for your new recipe. With enhanced RGCU Debit and Credit Rewards, you earn 4x points for groceries. Points can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, merchandise, and more! Now would be a great time to take advantage of the points you've earned, especially with the holiday season gearing up.