JANET'S WINTER SQUASH CHOWDER

INGREDIENTS:

2 TBSP oil
1 1/2 cups diced onion
7-8 cups cubed squash (I often get the frozen butternut cubes - ready to go!)
1 large ham hock
4 cups chicken stock
2 bay leaves
1/2 cup water
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup diced celery
1 cup lima beans
Salt and Pepper
1 cup heavy cream (optional)
1 cup grated cheddar cheese (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

In a LARGE SOUP POT -

SAUTE onion in oil.
ADD squash, ham hock, Chicken stock, bay leaves

SIMMER
ADD carrots, celery, beans and the half cup of water

When veggies are TENDER pull out the ham hock and bay leaves.
Pick any meat off of the ham hock.

PUREE soup in a blender (or with a blender stick)

ADD in the meat pieces

Season with salt and pepper to taste

Some people don't bother with the ham hocks

Some top with a dollop of sour cream