butternut squash and green chile stew with cashew cream

Directions

1. preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. cut the butternut squash in half and scoop out the seeds. place on a baking sheet, rub 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the cut and scooped surfaces and sprinkle with salt. Place the chiles on the same baking sheet and place in the oven. roast for about 30 minutes, turning the chiles as they blacken and blister. remove chiles when they are cooked through and place them in a cover bowl to cool. continue roasting the squash until soft enough to scoop out.
3. peel and dice the green chiles. scoop the flesh out of the butternut squash and cut into chunks.
4. heat a large pot over medium low heat. add the remaining olive oil and heat until shimmering; then add the onions, garlic and green chiles. cook until the onions are soft.
5. add the potatoes, squash, salt and pepper, water to cover all, more if you would like a brothier, thinner soup. simmer until the potatoes are nice and soft. taste and add more salt or pepper to taste. you can puree at this point if you would like a smooth soup.
6. place the cashews and enough water to just cover them in a blender container. blend until smooth. add the salt and sugar and blend until mixed. add water until you have the thickness that you like,
7. just before serving, stir in the nutritional yeast and the chile brine. add the cashew cream to each bowl.