Butternut Squash Jalapeño Soup w/ Lemon & Avocado (Oil and Salt-free)

Ingredients

· 1 large butternut squash (about 6 cups), diced in ½” cubes
· 3 cups low sodium vegetable broth or water
· ½ cup cilantro, finely chopped
· 1 small onion, diced
· 1 leek, halved and sliced
· 2 tsp crushed garlic
· 2 celery stalks, sliced small
· 2-3 jalapeños, deseeded, ribs removed and sliced*
· ½ tsp cumin
· ¼ tsp chili powder
· ¼ tsp dried oregano
· Healthy Green Salt Substitute and black pepper to taste
· Juice of ½-3/4 medium lemon, to taste

Toppings
· 3 tbsp fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
· 1 avocado, diced

Instructions

1. Saut© the onion, leek and celery in water in a large soup pot until translucent, about 5 mins. Add in the garlic and cook for another new minutes, until it is fragrant.
2. Add in the remaining ingredients (except for the lemon juice and cilantro) and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, lower to a simmer and cover for 30-40 mins or until the squash is fork tender.
3. Cool for 10 mins, then place into a high speed blender with the lemon juice (in 3 batches) and run until smooth. Add in the cilantro and pulse until it is mixed through.
4. Serve topped with jalapeño, cilantro and avocado.
Notes
Add more or less jalapeño as desired.