MOROCCAN SPICED SQUASH AND CARROT SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375° F.
• Cut squash in half from top to bottom and place it, cut side down, on a lightly oiled baking sheet.
• Bake until squash can be easily skewered, 50 to 60 minutes.
• With a spoon, remove seeds and discard.
• Scrape the pulp from the skin.
• Reserve the pulp and discard the skin.
• Warm the olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat.
• Add the onions and cook until soft, 7 minutes.
• Add the paprika, cumin, turmeric, and coriander and continue to cook, stirring for 2 minutes.
• Add the squash, carrots, sugar, chicken stock, water, ½ teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered until carrots are soft, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Cool for 15 minutes.
• Puree the soup in a blender in several batches for 3 minutes each batch until the soup is very smooth.
• Strain soup through a fine strainer back into pot and gently reheat.
• If the soup is too thick, add additional water.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Place the yogurt in a small bowl.
• Season with salt and pepper and stir well.
• To serve, heat the soup.
• Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with cilantro and a drizzle of yogurt.