Description
This hearty and flavorful soup combines sweet butternut squash with a rich seafood medley, creating a comforting and sophisticated dish. The seafood is stuffed inside the squash, giving it a unique presentation and added flavor. Perfect for a cozy, elegant meal!
Ingredients
For the Stuffed Seafood:
1 lb mixed seafood (shrimp, scallops, and crab meat) 🦞🦐🦑
1 tablespoon olive oil 🫒
1 teaspoon smoked paprika 🌶️
½ teaspoon sea salt 🧂
½ teaspoon black pepper 🌶️
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped 🌿
1 tablespoon breadcrumbs (optional for a crunchy topping)
For the Soup:
1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed 🎃
1 tablespoon butter 🧈
1 medium onion, chopped 🧅
2 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
3 cups seafood or vegetable broth 🍲
1 cup heavy cream 🥛
½ teaspoon dried thyme 🌿
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional for warmth)
1 teaspoon sea salt (plus more to taste) 🧂
½ teaspoon black pepper 🌶️
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 🍋
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped 🌿
Optional Garnishes:
Grated Parmesan cheese 🧀
Fresh thyme sprigs 🌿
Crusty bread for dipping 🍞
Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Seafood:
In a bowl, combine the mixed seafood with olive oil, smoked paprika, sea salt, black pepper, and fresh parsley.
Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and cook the seafood for 3-4 minutes until just cooked through.
Remove the seafood from the pan and set aside. If desired, sprinkle breadcrumbs over the seafood and place it under the broiler for 2-3 minutes to create a crispy topping.
2️⃣ Make the Soup Base:
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
Stir in the cubed butternut squash and cook for another 5 minutes to allow the squash to caramelize slightly.
3️⃣ Simmer the Soup:
Pour in the seafood or vegetable broth, and bring the mixture to a boil.
Reduce the heat and let the soup simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the butternut squash is tender.
4️⃣ Blend the Soup:
Once the squash is soft, use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth and creamy (or transfer in batches to a blender).
Stir in the heavy cream, dried thyme, cinnamon (if using), salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Let the soup simmer for another 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
5️⃣ Assemble the Dish:
Ladle the creamy butternut squash soup into bowls.
Gently stuff the cooked seafood into the center of each bowl, allowing the seafood to float in the soup. Garnish with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, if desired.
6️⃣ Serve:
Serve warm with crusty bread on the side for dipping. Enjoy the balance of sweet butternut squash and savory seafood in each bite!
This Stuffed Seafood Soup with Butternut Squash offers a rich, comforting flavor profile and a beautiful, unique presentation. 🎃🦞🍲