Recipe: Butternut Squash Soup (with apples and pears)

Butternut Squash Soup (with apple and pear)
rec.food.recipes: Dave Spang

My favorite recipe combines squash, pear and apple and is as follows:

1 Tbsp margarine or butter
2 large celery ribs, thinly sliced
1 large apple, cored peeled and cut into chunks
1 large firm ripe pear, cored and cut into chunks
1-1 1/2 pound butternut squash, seeded, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks (about 1 quart.)
4 cups unsalted chicken stock
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot heat fat until foam subsides, Add celery, apple and pear, mix with large spoon. cover and cook until fruit is soft, about 10 minutes.

Add squash and Broth, cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until squash is soft, about 30 minutes.

Cool, uncovered, until cool enough to handle. Process in batches in food processor until smooth. Return to pot, add nutmeg, salt and pepper and heat thoroughly.

Note: If you use a good ripe pear the sugar content is excellent.