Join KindChef Denise to make a Butternut Squash & Cauliflower Winter Vegetable Soup (based on this recipe from Cookin’ Canuck.)
After completing your soup, freeze and label it for donation, then drop off at one of our participating food assistance providers, with a person or family that is in your heart, or anyplace that you prefer, when convenient. Finally, report on where you shared your KindSoup and spread the word: Post a picture or two of you and your soups on social media with #DoKindWorks and tag us @DoKindWorks.
Butternut Squash & Cauliflower Winter Vegetable Soup
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 medium onions, chopped
- 9 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 medium carrots, cut into thin half-circles
- 6 medium celery stalks, thinly sliced
- 2 ¼ teaspoons dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon dried chile flakes
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 cup tomato paste
- 3 ¾ pounds butternut squash (about 12 cups)
- 2 ¼ pounds cauliflower (about 9 cups)
- 9 cups vegetable broth
- 4 ½ cups water
- 6 bay leaves
- ¾ cup minced Italian parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3- 15.5 oz cans Cannellini beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1- 16 oz. package mini gnocchi (can substitute a similar quantity of cooked rice or grain such as farro)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large saucepan set over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion just starts to soften, about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic, carrots, celery, thyme, dried chile flakes and salt. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for one additional minute.
- Stir in the butternut squash, cauliflower, beans, gnocchi, vegetable broth, water and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, partially cover the saucepan and cook until the squash and cauliflower are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Let the soup cool for 10 minutes, then blender 9 cups of the soup. Puree until almost smooth, then stir the mixture back into the soup.
- Stir in the parsley, add salt and pepper (if desired) and serve.
Health and Safety Information
In order to protect the the quality of our KindSoup program, we ask that volunteers conscientiously observe the following guidelines:
- Start with clean hands and wash again frequently as needed throughout the cooking process.
- Start with clean kitchen surfaces and utensils (antibacterial wipes do a great job).
- Keep longer hair tied back.
- Follow other common sense procedures, such as never returning a tasting spoon to the pot!
Thank you for maintaining a high cleanliness standard for our KindSoup donations!
How to Donate Your KindSoup
Seal containers with a tight lid and freeze. Label each container with: date prepared, your first name and last initial, “Butternut Squash & Cauliflower Winter Vegetable Soup” and any relevant food allergy info. When convenient, drop containers of frozen soup off at one of the following participating food assistance providers, with a person or family that is in your heart, or a place that you prefer.
- Here2Help @ Bethesda Presbyterian Church, 7611 Clarendon Road, Bethesda. (Go down driveway next to brick house just before the church on Clarendon and look for coolers labeled for soup donations). Drop off Sundays, 10 am-12 noon.
- Rainbow Community Development Center 12120 Tech Road, Silver Spring (this takes you to the rear parking lot and loading dock – there is usually a large RAINBOW truck parked here): Drop-off Monday-Friday 9am-2pm. NOTE: If you go during Rainbow’s food distributions on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 9am-noon, you may see a long line of cars – you can drive past the cars to drop off your KindSoup. If you go at other times and the garage or back door is not open, call or text Anna on her personal cell at 301-852-4184 (if she doesn’t answer, leave a message and she should get back within a few minutes, or try calling the Rainbow Pantry cellphone: 240-639-2293)
- So What Else 4924 Wyaconda Road, Rockville, 240-705-4345. (Look for the Dogtopia. Drive straight past Doptopia to get to our parking lot. The entrance will be on the right hand side as you pull into the parking lot. After you park, walk up to the glass door at the bottom of the black ramp, ring the doorbell, let the team know you’ve arrived to drop off KindSoups): Drop-off Tuesday-Friday 10am-4pm and Saturdays 7am-12pm.
- Upcounty Consolidation Hub 12900 Middlebrook Rd., Germantown (supporting 1,000 families with food and other supports). Drop off Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Fridays 8 am-4:30 pm.
- Embry Rucker Shelter 11975 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston, 703-437-1975. Leave donations on the table around the back. Drop off anytime!
Here are some options for donating outside the DC area:
- NYC Community Fridges located throughout New York City.
- Bread and Roses 58 Newbury St., Lawrence, Mass., 978-681-8768. Drop off Mondays-Thursdays, 10 am-4 pm.
- The Bristol Lodge 27 Lexington St., Waltham, Mass., 781-893-0108. Drop off Mondays-Fridays, 9am-6pm.
- Community Refrigerators located in Los Angeles
See you in the KindSoup kitchen!
Learn more about this KindWorks program
