Savory Butternut Squash Soup - phrits.com

Ingredients

• 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1 to 1½-inch (2 to 4 cm) chunks
• 4 strips of thick cut bacon, chopped. See note on Dietary Considerations below.
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 small carrot, finely chopped
• 1 stalk of celery, finely chopped
• 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
• (Optional) 1 habenero or scotch bonnet pepper, seeded and very finely chopped. Wear gloves or wish you had.
• 1/4 cup (75 ml or 30 g) flour
• a pinch of cayenne or a few drops of hot sauce
• 2 quarts (2 L), more or less, of stock. See note on Stock below.
• 1 whole sprig fresh thyme (about 1/3 of a grocery store US$2 blister pack)
• 1 whole sprig fresh oregano
• 1 sprig of fresh rosemary (about 4 inches (10 cm))
• 3 fresh bay leaves
• (Optional)3 to 12 fresh jalapeño peppers, seeded and roughly chopped
• 1 1/2 cup (375 ml) heavy cream, plus another 1/2 cup (125 ml) to finish. A pint (500 ml) total
• Salt and pepper
• (Optional) Garnishes