Embark on a culinary journey to North Africa with this tantalizing bean and squash soup, a hearty and flavorful dish that embodies the vibrant tapestry of flavors found in the region. This delectable soup showcases the perfect harmony of tender beans, sweet squash, and an array of aromatic spices that dance on your palate. As you savor each spoonful, you'll be transported to the bustling souks of Morocco or the serene landscapes of Tunisia, where this comforting soup is a beloved staple.
This versatile recipe offers three enticing variations to cater to diverse tastes and dietary preferences. The classic North African version captures the essence of the dish with its blend of chickpeas, butternut squash, and a medley of spices like cumin, coriander, and paprika. For a vegan delight, the hearty vegan variation swaps out the chicken broth for vegetable broth and adds protein-rich lentils, creating a nourishing and satisfying meal. And for those who love a touch of heat, the spicy harissa variation infuses the soup with a fiery kick, thanks to the addition of harissa paste, a North African chili paste that adds a vibrant red hue and a bold flavor profile.
No matter which variation you choose, this North African bean and squash soup promises a symphony of flavors and textures that will warm your soul and leave you craving more. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and let's embark on this culinary adventure together.
SUMMER SQUASH & WHITE BEAN SOUP
I love using summer squash in soups. This dish is hearty as is, but stir in chopped ham for an extra wallop of flavor. Serve it warm or chilled. -Sara Hornbeck, Knoxville, Tennessee
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 30m
Yield 6 servings (2-1/4 quarts).
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a 6-qt. stockpot, heat butter and oil over medium heat. Add onions; cook and stir 6-8 minutes or until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer., Add squash and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 10-12 minutes or until squash is tender. Stir in 1 can of beans, parsley, tarragon and salt. Puree soup using an immersion blender. Or cool soup slightly and puree in batches in a blender; return to pan. Stir in remaining can of beans and heat through. Top each serving with yogurt. Freeze option: Freeze cooled soup in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally; add a little broth if necessary.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 290 calories, Fat 12g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 21mg cholesterol, Sodium 1187mg sodium, Carbohydrate 36g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 8g fiber), Protein 10g protein.
NORTH AFRICAN BEAN AND SQUASH SOUP
This thick, hearty soup is adapted from a more complex dish that includes several kinds of beans and a spherical type of couscous called muhammas, for vermicelli is substituted. This gets better overnight, but don't add the pasta or the fresh chopped cilantro and mint until shortly before serving. You may need to thin out with water. It will keep for 3 or 4 days in the refrigerator. In spring and summer, substitute 1/2 pound diced zucchini for the squash. Simmer the zucchini for no longer than 30 minutes.
Provided by JackieOhNo
Categories Beans
Time 8h25m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Drain the soaked chick peas and set aside. Tie half the cilantro sprigs into a bundle with the dried red chili, and chop the rest. Set aside the chopped cilantro.
- Heat the oil in a large bean pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and add the onions and carrots. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes, and add 1/2 teaspoon salt, the garlic, paprika, and turmeric. Stir together for about a minute, until fragrant, and add the tomatoes, and their juice. Cook, stirring often, for 10 minutes, until the tomatoes have cooked down somewhat and the mixture is fragrant. Add the beans and water and bring to a boil. Add the cilantro bundle, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 1 hour. Add the squash, a generous amount of salt, and the harissa or cayenne, and continue to simmer for another hour. Taste and adjust salt. Add the vermicelli and simmer until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove the cilantro bundle. Stir in the remaining cilantro and the mint, adjust salt and serve. Garnish with lemon wedges.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 228.2, Fat 8.4, SaturatedFat 1.2, Sodium 231.2, Carbohydrate 35.5, Fiber 8.6, Sugar 9.8, Protein 6.7
NORTH AFRICAN BEAN STEW WITH BARLEY AND WINTER SQUASH
This warming, highly spiced stew is rich in beans, grains and chunks of sweet winter squash. Feel free to substitute other grains for the barley. Farro works particularly well. If you'd prefer something soupier, thin it with a little broth or water before serving.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories soups and stews, main course, side dish
Time 1h45m
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- In a large pot over medium heat, heat oil and cook leeks until they begin to brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Finely chop cilantro stems. Stir into pot, along with diced fennel and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes. Stir in baharat, cinnamon and tomato paste, and cook until paste begins to caramelize, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in broth, 3 cups water, the barley and the salt. Bring to a gentle boil, stir in saffron, if using, and reduce heat to medium. Simmer uncovered for 40 minutes. Stir in beans, squash, turnip and lentils; cook until barley is tender, about another 20 to 30 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings, if desired. Remove cinnamon stick.
- Ladle stew into bowls. Spoon a dollop of yogurt on top and drizzle with olive oil. Garnish with cilantro leaves, fennel fronds and Aleppo pepper or paprika.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 181, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 25 grams, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 546 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams
NORTH AFRICAN BEAN AND SQUASH SOUP
Steps:
- Drain the soaked chick peas and set aside. Tie half the cilantro sprigs into a bundle with the dried red chili, and chop the rest. Set aside the chopped cilantro. Heat the oil in a large bean pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and add the onions and carrots. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes, and add 1/2 teaspoon salt, the garlic, paprika, and turmeric. Stir together for about a minute, until fragrant, and add the tomatoes, and their juice. Cook, stirring often, for 10 minutes, until the tomatoes have cooked down somewhat and the mixture is fragrant. Add the beans and water and bring to a boil. Add the cilantro bundle, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 1 hour. Add the squash, a generous amount of salt, and the harissa or cayenne, and continue to simmer for another hour. Taste and adjust salt. Add the vermicelli and simmer until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove the cilantro bundle. Stir in the remaining cilantro and the mint, adjust salt and serve. Garnish with lemon wedges.
BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND BEAN SOUP
Steps:
- Soak the beans overnight, or for at least 6 hours, in enough cold water to cover. Drain and transfer to a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the water and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer, covered, until almost tender, 45 to 50 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon of the salt and cook 10 more minutes.
- Make the croutons: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer the cubes to a large bowl and toss with the garlic, salt, pepper, oil, and sage. Let stand 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a second large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, parsnip, garlic, and sage, and cook until the vegetables have softened but are not colored, about 10 minutes. Add the squash and cook for 10 more minutes. Season with the remaining tablespoon of salt, and the black and Aleppo peppers. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Spoon 1 cup of the cooked beans along with 1/4 cup of their cooking liquid into a blender and puree until smooth. Using a rubber spatula, scrape the puree into the pan with the vegetables. Add the whole beans with their cooking liquid, the bay leaves, and honey, and simmer until the vegetables are completely tender, about 10 more minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning if desired.
- Serve the soup in warm bowls, topped with the croutons.
BEAN AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP
A hearty winter soup with beautiful color, subtle flavors, and velvety texture.
Provided by Mo Hanan
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes Vegetable Soup Recipes Squash Soup Recipes Butternut Squash Soup Recipes
Time 9h45m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Place Great Northern beans into a large container and cover with several inches of cool water; let stand 8 hours to overnight. Drain.
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat; cook and stir onion and garlic in the hot oil until onion is translucent, 5 to 10 minutes. Add bay leaves and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Mix beans, water, and bouillon into onion mixture; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover pot, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender, about 1 hour.
- Stir squash, carrots, celery, salt, black pepper, white pepper, ginger, and allspice into broth mixture; simmer until squash and carrots are tender, about 20 minutes.
- Remove bay leaves from broth mixture and discard. Scoop 2 to 3 cups of vegetable-bean mixture using a slotted spoon from broth; blend broth and remaining vegetable-bean mixture using a hand blender until smooth. Return the vegetable-bean mixture to broth mixture and stir in sausage. Simmer soup until sausage is cooked through, 5 to 10 more minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 370.3 calories, Carbohydrate 56.4 g, Cholesterol 26.8 mg, Fat 8.2 g, Fiber 15.5 g, Protein 20.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 1446.8 mg, Sugar 6.9 g
Tips:
- Feel free to use any winter squash variety you like, such as butternut, acorn, or kabocha.
- To save time, you can use pre-cooked beans from a can or jar. Just be sure to rinse them well before using.
- If you don't have any harissa paste, you can make your own by blending together roasted red peppers, chili peppers, garlic, cumin, and olive oil.
- Serve the soup with a dollop of yogurt, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, and a side of warm pita bread.
Conclusion:
This North African bean and squash soup is a hearty, flavorful, and nutritious meal that's perfect for a cold winter day. It's also a great way to use up leftover squash and beans. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy soup recipe, give this one a try. You won't be disappointed!
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