Butternut Squash Soup - Vegetarian or Not - Flavor del Mar's Copy-Cat

serves 8 - 10

easy to reduce to 4 servings, just cut recipe in half

Ingredients
5 pounds butternut squash (about 2 medium)
2 tablespoons oil
Salt and pepper
3/4 pound onions (1 large or 2 medium onions), coarsely chopped
4 cloves garlic
4 1/4 cups milk
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) plus 2 tablespoons butter
2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth to go vegetarian)
3/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup heavy cream

Directions
Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Halve the squash lengthwise,  scooping out and discarding the seeds. Place the squash on a large  cookie sheet, brushing the top of each half with the oil. Sprinkle
one-half teaspoon each salt and pepper over the halves. Roast the  halves until golden-brown and a knife easily pierces the flesh, 45  minutes to an hour, depending on the thickness of the squash.

Remove and set aside until cool enough to handle, then scoop out the roasted flesh, discarding the shells.

In a 4-quart pot, combine the roasted butternut squash flesh with  the onion, garlic, milk, sugar, butter, broth, nutmeg and cinnamon.  Season with one-half teaspoon salt and one-fourth teaspoon pepper,  or to taste. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, and cook for about 45 minutes to marry the flavors.

Blend the soup, in batches if necessary, then strain into a clean pot. Stir in the cream and heat until the soup is warmed. Taste and adjust the seasoning if desired.