Butternut Sweet Potato Soup

Let's talk vegetables for a bit.  In my opinion, the butternut squash is an under appreciated vegetable. I think it gets the bad squash rap, but really it tastes more like a pumpkin than a squash.  When you are choosing a butternut squash, the skin should be a golden tan in color and matte (not shiny). A ripe butternut squash feels solid and heavy for its size. It will sound hollow when you tap it. It should feel firm and smooth.  It fact, a butternut squash can be difficult to to skin and chunk up when it's completely raw.  Sometimes I cheat, I will stab the squash a few times and roast it in the oven for thirty minutes or so until it is easier to skin.  You need to stab the squash so that the steam can vent while it's cooking.  If your forget, it may explode in your oven and that is no bueno. 

1/2 butternut squash, peeled and chunked
4 sweet potatoes, peeled and chunked
2 onions
4 garlic cloves
1/8 c fresh ginger, shredded
8c chicken stock
1tsp cinnamon
1tsp nutmeg
Low fat Greek-style yogurt

Coat the bottom of your cooking pot with cooking spray.  Add onion and saute for about five minutes.  Add garlic and ginger.  Cook for about 1 minute.  Add squash, sweet potato and chicken stock, cinnamon, and nutmeg.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes or until vegetables are done.  Using a blender (or food processor), process soup until smooth.  Return soup to the pot.  Heat soup on med low heat until heated through.  Serve topped with black pepper and a dollop of yogurt.