Roasted Apple and Sweet Potato Soup with Spiced Walnuts

Ingredients

• 10 cups sweet potatoes ((about 5 to 6 medium-sized potatoes) peeled and cubed)
• 3 cups apples ((try Spartan, Empire or Russet), peeled, cored and quartered )
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 long, red chili pepper (left whole but with ends removed)
• 5 tbsp vegetable or canola oil
• 1 tbsp salt
• 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 cups onions (peeled and chopped)
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 3 cups milk
• 4 1/2 cups cold water
• 2 tsp cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1/4 tsp fresh cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 cup walnut halved
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper