As the days grow colder and the holiday lights start twinkling, it’s time to settle in with the ultimate Colorado comfort food: roasted butternut squash soup. 

Our state’s winter squashes (we’re talking butternut, acorn, and spaghetti) are the secret weapon to beating the cold. They’re harvested in fall but keep beautifully through the chilly months, packing a satisfying and flavorful punch of vitamins, fiber, and natural sweetness.

This recipe isn’t just soup, it’s a hug in a bowl. Our seasonal favorite is a rich, velvety dream that starts with roasting local butternut squash to bring out its deep, nutty flavor. We blend it with savory onion and garlic, and a touch of cream (or coconut milk) and finish it with festive spices like nutmeg or sage for a smooth, flavorful finish. Top it off with a drizzle of local Colorado honey to make that farm-fresh sweetness sing.

Whether you need a simple, elegant starter for your holiday party or a cozy meal after a day in the snow, this soup delivers color, comfort, and a true taste of the season.

Want to bring this harvest home? Find your nearest farmers market in our Farm Fresh Directory—available in English and Spanish. Explore Colorado Proud to connect with the producers who grow and craft the food that makes meals like this possible.

Colorado Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Shared by Farmer Maria Culligan of Berthoud

Yield: 4-6 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 medium to large butternut squash, halved and seeds removed
• 4 carrots, peeled
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and halved
• 1–2 large shallots, peeled and halved
• 1 head of garlic, top cut to expose the cloves
• 3 sprigs of fresh thyme
• A few fresh sage leaves
• 2 tsp ground turmeric
• 2 tsp paprika (sweet or smoked, to taste)
• 1 tsp freshly grated ginger
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup vegetable, chicken, or bone broth
• 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk or 1 ¾ cups of half-and-half
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Pepitas (pumpkin seeds) for garnish 

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet.
2. Arrange the following ingredients on the baking sheet:
   • Halved butternut squash (cut side up)
   • Carrots, red pepper, and shallots
   • Whole head of garlic
3. Drizzle everything generously with olive oil.
4. Sprinkle with turmeric, paprika, fresh thyme sprigs, sage leaves, salt, and pepper.
5. Roast for 40–50 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and caramelized, and the squash is easily pierced with a fork.
6. Once roasted, allow the vegetables to cool slightly so they are safe to handle. Scoop the flesh from the butternut squash and squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from their skins.
7. Transfer the squash, roasted garlic, carrots, shallots, and red pepper into a large pot or blender.
8. Add the grated fresh ginger, broth, and coconut milk (or half-and-half).
9. Blend with an immersion blender directly in the pot, or carefully blend in batches in a countertop blender, until the soup is completely smooth and creamy.
   • If using a blender, pour the soup into a pot and gently warm it over medium heat.
10. Adjust the consistency by adding a little broth until it reaches your desired thickness.
11. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper.
12. Ladle the hot soup into bowls.
13. Garnish with a swirl of olive oil, crisped up thyme and pepitas. 

Pairing Perfection 

A great wine can pull a perfect dish and evening together. Nestled in Palisade, Sauvage Spectrum offers a spectacular Zweigelt, the Best in Show winner of the 2025 Governor’s Cup. Zweigelt is a red grape that  originates from Austria and this was the first year the variety was submitted to the Governor’s Cup competition. It will undoubtedly not be the last, as two Zweigelts are part of the 2025 Governor’s Cup Collection. This variety’s quick success will surely catch the attention of winemakers and wine lovers alike.

Seeking a non-alcoholic option that is a wonderful warm up for the evening after dinner? Try using Daddy’s Homemade cinnamon vanilla syrup for a Ginger Bread Latte recipe. Daddy’s Homemade creates all-natural syrups that are more than just delicious toppings for breakfast foods; they symbolize the love and togetherness that comes from spending time with family, friends and community. 

Visit ColoradoProud.com for more recipes.