Ham, Cider and Butternut Squash Soup

Course Appetizers

Ingredients in this Recipe

1 celery rib, finely chopped
1 meaty smoked ham hock
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 stick unsalted butter
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 cups water
2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 apples (Fuji or Braeburn – Granny Smith tends to be too noticeably tart), peeled (if you want a more refined look) or unpeeled (rustic!) and sliced thin.
3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
3 cups high quality hard apple cider (French, if you can find it).
3 lbs. butternut squash, split and seeded (or, if you want to buy the already prepped and packaged kind (like they do at Whole Foods) use 2½ lbs).

See Full Recipe at Food52