Step 1

Begin heating a large pot over medium-high heat.

Step 2

Remove the seedbed of the butternut squash (see video for example) and then peel the squash.

Step 3

Cut the peeled squash into medium-sized cubes. You’ll be blending this in a later step, so just small enough to help the squash cook faster. Bigger pieces = longer cooking time.

Step 4

Peel the onion and give it a rough chop. Again, you’ll be blending this so it doesn’t need to be perfect.

Step 5

Peel the garlic and again rough chop.

Step 6

Add about 1 Tbsp of olive oil to the pot, then add the onions, garlic, and fresh thyme. Sauté until they get a bit of color.

Step 7

Once the garlic and onions are looking good, add the squash. Sauté for a few more minutes until the squash starts to lightly brown. The key here is that you’re building layers of flavor for your butternut squash bisque, so you want the squash to cook down a bit.

Step 8

Once the squash has picked up some color, add the sherry to deglaze. Stirring frequently, let the sherry bubble away until it has reduced by about half.

Step 9

Add the water and bring it to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes, until the squash is tender and the liquid has reduced by about half.

Step 10

Remove from heat.

Step 11

Using a hand blender, blend the mixture until about half smooth. You want to keep it on the rustic side for now and then we’ll add some seasonings. ( Alternatively, you can transfer the mixture into a blender to blend if you don’t have a hand blender.)

Step 12

Add a pinch or two of sea salt (to taste) and a Tbsp of vegan butter.

Step 13

Continue blending the mixture, incorporating the salt and butter until the mixture is silky smooth.

Step 14

Now you’re ready to serve your butternut squash bisque shooters recipe! If you’re serving in a bowl, go ahead and serve it as hot as you’d normally serve soup. If you’re serving as a shooter in shot glasses as seen in the video and photos, WARNING: LET THE SOUP COOL quite a bit before pouring into the glasses and serving. You really don’t want to pour boiling hot soup into thin glass containers!

Step 15

As an option, garnish with a drizzle of pumpkin seed oil, parsley, and pumpkin seeds.