Postcards: Rained In
It rained for most of the week here and I can’t quite remember the last year we had such a week.
With the rain came more fall-like temperatures and so the soup pot is on rotation. The roosters we butchered last week made an appearance in several pots, including the above Squash and Sweet Potato Soup. I thought for sure we had finally found a blended squash soup the children liked. Elijah – my toughest squash soup critic – even said he liked it as we began supper so I thought I might share the recipe with you all…
Days later I found out after about half the bowl he couldn’t stand it anymore but was too polite to say anything. I appreciate his politeness and honesty, when asked, but y’all, what am I doing wrong in the pumpkin/squash/sweet potato soup department… or is it just that some children won’t like the stuff?
The youngest children and I were inside staying out of the deep mud and cold, wet, windy days for most of the week. So baking it was with these two sisters who love to make their own. Molasses-Spice cookies for Annie and a gluten-free chocolate oat cookie concoction Ruthie came up with that turned out like chocolate cake in a cookie.
And Mama has been experimenting with a soaked granola that isn’t near the pain to make as all of the soaked granola recipes I’ve come across. So far, so good and if I get it just right I will share with you the recipe.
Finally, this little bug seems to like the cooler temperatures as much as her Mama. Nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby who is finally, actually sleeping a bit more.
Maybe it was the sound of a persistent rain on our little tin roof that made the difference.
I would love for you to share your soup recipe. I highly doubt you are doing anything wrong…some people just really don’t like squash. My husband gags when he tries to eat it. 🙂
I would love your soaked granola recipe, as well! My husband as well as one our kids really love boxed granola and I’ve love to be able to make them something healthier.
What kind of squash are you using? My kids love squash, but we grow some of the sweetest varieties, so maybe that’s why? Have you tried various spices? A favorite here is curried butternut bisque. I guess there will be some who just don’t like it, though.
I would LOVE to see your soaked granola recipe once you’re ready to share it! I tried one last week and it turned out okay. I had coconut oil in with the oats and kefir. It ends up smelling rancid if it soaks too long that way. Without coconut oil it’s not a problem. We had this same issue with a soaked baked oatmeal recipe from Cultures for Health (I think). Any insight on why the coconut oil/milk kefir combo would smell and taste so bad after soaking together? I haven’t had that problem with other fats.
It’s really hard to get children to eat pumpkin (squash) soup. In Australia I use a mix of pumpkins – butternut for sweetness and jap for flavour. I’m not sure what the equivalent is for you? I roast them whole in a hot oven until soft and squishy. They then go in the pot with cooked onion, garlic and good quality chicken stock. Maybe a tea spoon of curry paste. Once cooked and blended thoroughly I stir through a dash of cream. Also serve with cream on top and toast for dipping. This is the only recipe my children will eat.
Not you it could well be the child. Our family regularly enjoyed split pea soup in the colder weather. Two children the eldest my brown eyed red head loved it. His sister not of red hair not so much. Our rule when they were young was you must at least taste the “offensive” item. Then if you truly didn’t care for it you could have a Peanut Butter and jam sandwich instead. Annie refused to even taste it. Supper came and went , the table was cleared and the dishes done. Was getting late she was still at the table. No taste no leaving table. Finally her Daddy excused her from the table , still taste less, to go to bed. She was about 7 years and now at 41 she still won’t touch split pea soup!
I totally understand your son. Every fall I buy new or different varieties of squash. I can eat a few bites but that’s it. At times I even gag. I truly want to like it. Sadly no one else in my family likes it either.