Soup is a perennial favorite when it comes fall eats. It’s the perfect, obvious
cure for cooler and shorter days. What’s better is that this season brings an entire harvest of
flavors. One of our favorites is butternut squash. It’s a little sweet and richer than summer
squash, and it makes a wonderfully satisfying soup. The best thing about
butternut squash soup is that it’s very versatile and you can make it your own. Feel free to
spice it up with a pinch of cayenne pepper or add roasted pumpkin seeds to maximize the fall flavors. Here are some great toppings to garnish your butternut squash soup with.
- Sour Cream: putting a small dollop of sour cream enriches the Butternut Squash Soup making it even creamier.
- Bacon: You can't go wrong with bacon. Topping your soup with crunchy bacon only enhances the flavor of the soup.
- Chives: Finely chop up some chives and serve them on the soup or leave them long as a stylish garnish.
- Nutmeg: Sprinkling nutmeg to your butternut squash soup gives the soup the ultimate fall flavor. Adding ground cinnamon takes the flavor to the next level.
- Cilantro: Chopped cilantro leaves sprinkled over the top of the soup to add a bit of the citrus flare.
- Coconut milk: A great way to still enjoy the enriched creamy taste without the calories.
- Heavy cream: Not worried about calories? Heavy cream will provide the ultimate fall comfort food fell to this amazing soup.
- Cheese: Depending on your favorite cheeses to garnish with blue cheese crumbles and parmesan cheese will add an rich taste to your soup (try adding with chopped nuts or dried fruit for an even more favor flare)
When it comes time for fall, the cravings for nostalgic activities, cozy atmospheres, and satisfying comfort food are in full swing. Between all the activities going on and the cooler, shorter days, the time is never better for some warm satisfying food inspired by the season. What sounds better than down home, scratch-made salads, sandwiches, and soups? At The Lunchbox in Johnstown, they’re serving up all three with a side of small town sentiments. A downtown staple, The Lunchbox has been serving up counter spot lunchtime favorites in Johnstown since they opened roughly 11 years ago. From pastrami reubens to temping salads, they have you covered for lunch. This time of year, one item especially stands out-- their chef-made butternut squash soup. A savory, creamy, hot bowl of this rich and satisfying soup is exactly what you need in the middle of a crisp October day. It’s perfect as a side to the ever reliable grilled cheese sandwich or standing alone as a light, but satisfying, lunch. Owner, Jennifer Adkisson, has always aimed to please. After taking over the restaurant in the stead of her brother and other family members, the operation has become an all female affair.
“Our regulars call us the moms-- and we are. It’s a bunch of moms here serving food," Jennifer explains. That only adds to the down home, comforting vibe that The Lunchbox exudes.