My little apartment smells of Thanksgiving goodness right now (minus the Turkey). All thanks to this Cleansing Carrot Autumn Squash Soup.
In all honesty, this comforting soup came to be for a few reasons.
- To make me feel better
- To take my mind off things
- A new Thanksgiving-inspired recipe
Comfort was much needed. On the day I made this soup, I had been scrolling through my videos and found an old one of Taz and Chuy howling together.
I lost it.
I mean, really lost it. Immediate tears and pure sadness that made my heart ache. Then I remembered why I purposely avoid looking too far back in my pictures and videos, or why I scroll through them really fast. I’ve never blogged about how much I miss Chuy because it hurts too much. Not only did my relationship end, but my other precious pup exists only in memories now. We split them up and each took one – there was no other way… still breaks my heart though because they were BEST buds.
Once I saw the video, memories of all kinds rushed in, which never helps.. ya know, your mind just wanders. There are days where I’m completely fine and seeing an old picture or something that jogs my memory doesn’t bother me. There are also days where I just can’t deal. Life is weird. Emotions are weird. If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, refer to this post. While I have moved on from it all, the occasional memory (or in this case, video) can set me off when I least expect it. I don’t let it ruin my day but I also don’t hold in tears or pretend I’m okay.
So I let myself cry it out!!! I hugged Taz until he was sick of me and then forced myself to get up and focus my mind on creating something wonderful. Seems so dramatic now, after writing it out ha. I’m so emotional.
Side note: Later in the day, I watched Adele’s new “Hello” video and lost it even more, haha! I’ve been listening to it on repeat. SO GOOD.
Since my Cleansing Detox Soup was such a hit, this day was perfect to create another cleansing soup to:
- Wash away all the sadness (!!)
- Cleanse our bodies and make us feel good
- Nourish from within
- Boost immunity
With carrots, honeycrisp apple, butternut squash, spicy ginger, fresh lemon, vibrant turmeric and warming cinnamon, this Cleansing Carrot Autumn Squash Soup is ideal for boosting immunity and protecting you from sickness. Start building up your immune system now so you’re prepared for the winter months.
Being vegan, oil-free, gluten-free and low-fat, you can’t go wrong with this creamy, ultra-healthy homemade soup. GO MAKE IT. This would make for a perfect vegan Thanksgiving dish too.
- 1/2 cup low-sodium vegetable broth, or water (for sautéing)
- 1/2 white onion, chopped
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium-sized carrots, chopped
- 1 apple, chopped (I used honeycrisp)
- 1.5 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
- 1 small butternut squash, peeled and chopped
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- black pepper, to taste
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or light coconut milk)
- fresh juice from 1/2 lemon
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- In a soup pot, heat the veggie broth (or water) on medium-high heat. Sauté the onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the carrots, apple and ginger. Cook for about 5 minutes.
- Add in the butternut squash, sea salt, turmeric, thyme, cinnamon and pepper. Mix well and cook another 5 minutes.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and almond milk. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and cover. Simmer for about 20 minutes, or until all vegetables are soft.
- Turn off heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice and maple syrup.
- Using a hand blender (immersion blender) pureé the soup until smooth and creamy. You can also use a regular blender but be careful! Be sure to let out the hot air from the top to prevent a soup explosion haha.
- Taste test and add more salt or extra spices as needed.
- Serve immediately. Garnish with fresh apple, raisins, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds or pecans!
- Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Freezes well.
- Enjoy!
This soup is amazing! Delicious flavor. I used chicken broth, and substituted apple cider vinegar for the lemon juice. I did not add maple syrup, but it was still plenty sweet from the squash and apple!
How would this be with chicken broth !?? Weird ? Delicious? .. it’s all I have in the house right now so we’ll find out soon enough !
Thank you for sharing this story and recipe. I made this soup and it’s delicious! Made me feel renewed and cleansed – exactly what I needed!
my soup didn’t look like this at all, mine had a brownish/green color to it but it was fantastic. we added a little curry to it to cut the sweetness. thanks for this great recipe
So good! I used one whole onion (mine were on the smaller side) and 1/2 cup of full fat coconut milk. Topped it with toasted pumpkin seeds and hemp hearts and dipped some crusty bread in it! Will be making again for sure.
I made this last weekend. It was good, had a bit of a strong aftertaste, but not bad. I topped it with maple syrup and hemp hearts. Thanks for the healthy recipes!
So yummy!! So quick and easy and healthy and crazy delicious!
Chopped apples and pecans on top really added something special to this already wonderful soup.
Hi. Can I use ground ginger for this recipe. I don’t have fresh.
Thanks 🙂
I used fresh ginger – but my mom used powdered and didn’t reduce the amount and she reported that it came out way too spicy hot from the powdered ginger.
I haven’t tried this recipe yet but am planning on making it this week and am super excited, squash is a great fall food! I was just looking for some clarification on the recipe-don’t want to mess anything up by misunderstanding them! Do you sauté everything together in a pan separately from the broth and then add it together into the pan or pot?
Hi Katie! Everything cooks all in the same pot. You sauté the veggies in a little veggie broth (instead of oil) and will then add in the rest of the broth. I always try to make my recipes as easy as possible so definitely all in one pot! Hope that answers your question.
Shannon
I’m so glad you were able to let yourself feel, process your emotions, and got creative and did something amazing that is benefitting so many people! I’m a huge fan of soups, especially healthy ones you can feel good about eating while still getting that warm, fuzzy feeling.
Incidentally, I’m a relationship blogger, so if you ever need some lady solidarity, hop on over. <3 I've been there. I can't imagine the pain of splitting up the pups. When I adopted Dolly (my dog) with my ex, I made it clear that she was "our" dog (but really my dog), so when our relationship ended, there was no quarrel. I have to be honest, though, I adopted Dolly and she had some attachment issues and was absolutely broken hearted that my ex wasn't in her life anymore. She'd wait by the door for him even after I got home, she'd try to pull away on her leash and try to go looking for him around my apartment complex. She was seriously depressed and mopey for a few weeks. And that was almost as bad as the pain of losing the future I had planned with the person I wanted to marry. She's so much happier now, though, and her "mama" is too! You'll get through it, and I'm sending you lots and lots of HUGS. <3
Just made this tonight and I can’t say enough good things about it! I didn’t have maple syrup in the house so I used brown sugar instead. Not only is this soup delicious but the kitchen smells like the beautiful aroma of fall! Thank you for a fabulous recipe!
I just saw this recipe and read all through all the background… Some things just kinda find you.. Your words and recipe found me. <3 Not sure how to explain how I feel, but I can certainly say my heart shrink a little for a moment.
Thanks, I'm making this recipe today!
This was fantastic!! I used 1 cup less broth because I like a thicker soup but the flavor was spot on! Definitely will be added to our fall/winter soup rotation. Thanks!
I like your site and your soup . tanks
Soup becomes a bit too watery with those 4 cups og vegetable broth. I’d cut it down to 2-2,5 cups and just add water if you feel it’s too thick. Easier to make the soup thinner than to thicken it afterwards. Tasty soup though! I’d use a little less lemon next time.
Made this soup and it was delicious! However, my soup was not as vibrant in color as yours! Any advice??
I just made this! It’s so delicious and just what I needed to cleanse my body and warm up.
Oh girl, I can’t even imagine how you’re feeling! I’m sending you all the virtual hugs!! And OMG that Adele video got me feeling some type of emotional!!! Good thing there’s this soup to give you a hug from the inside!
Thanks Emilie!! And right?! That Adele video is too good, especially if you need a good cry… haha thanks for the virtual support. Sending you love!
xoxo,
Shannon
Emotions and memories can be so tough, especially when they just hit ya out of nowhere! I admire you for being so brave to share and for just letting the tears flow. Glad you still have a fur baby around to hug the heck out of though <3 And soup. Nourishing, gorgeous, glowing soup like this can make anyway better 🙂
Thanks Natalie 🙂 you’re the best. Sometimes my emotions are out of control haha and I need to remind myself to breathe. Can’t always help the tears though.. they come when they want! I so appreciate your support. Thank goodness for fur babies and cooking right?!
xoxo,
Shannon
oh my gosh girl! that almost made me cry too! :-/ I’m so emotional when it comes to fur-babies! I was wondering about Chuy but I didn’t want to ask, I just kind of assumed that’s what happened and didn’t want to make you think about it! XXX I can’t even imagine how hard it must be, I totally do the same thing with my photos though, scroll really fast through some parts that I don’t want to see because it’ll just bring up emotions! (my cats that have both passed away now) but on a happier note this soup looks wonderful I bet it was delicious and a great way to take your mind of thinking! which is hard because sometimes your brain just wont stop! lol at least mine won’t 😉 and gorgeous pictures too so bright!
Ahh me too Michele! I think I cry more over animals than humans ha.. so sorry about your cats 🙁 🙁 I know what you mean too – sometimes the brain just won’t shut up.. Cooking has always helped get my mind off things. Working out helps too, as I’m sure you know. Thanks for being so sweet, always.
xoxo,
Shannon