01 -
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped butternut squash, onion, bell pepper, and celery. Season lightly with salt and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften and caramelize slightly.
02 -
Add the chopped garlic, paprika, thyme, rosemary, cayenne pepper, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for 2 minutes to let the spices bloom.
03 -
Pour in the chicken (or vegetable) stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes, or until all ingredients are tender.
04 -
Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth, or carefully transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Return the soup to the pot if needed.
05 -
Taste and adjust for seasoning and thickness. Add more stock or water to thin if desired.
06 -
Simmer the soup for an additional 5 minutes to deepen the flavor. You can simmer it longer if preferred.
07 -
Garnish with toasted pepitas, red chili flakes, and fresh parsley, if desired, and serve warm.