Prep. time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 2 hours

You'll find pumpkinseed kernels — also called pepitas—at gourmet grocers and Mexican markets. We call for butternut squash in the recipe, but you can use an heirloom variety of winter squash.

Spiced seeds

1. Preheat oven to 150 °C / 300 °F.
2. Combine first 7 ingredients in a small bowl. Add seeds to sugar mixture, stirring to coat.
3. Spread seed mixture evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and coated with cooking spray. Bake for 15 minutes. Stir mixture; bake an additional 15 minutes.
4. Place parchment on a wire rack; cool pumpkinseed mixture. Break into small pieces; set aside.

Squash

1. Preheat oven to 180 °C / 350 °F.
2. Cut squash in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membrane. Brush oil over cut sides of squash; sprinkle cut sides with 1/4 teaspoon salt.
3. Place squash, cut sides down, on a jelly-roll pan. Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until squash is tender. Cool slightly. Scoop out squash pulp from skins; discard skins.

Finishing

1. Place squash pulp and broth in a blender. Remove center piece of blender lid (to allow steam to escape); secure blender lid on blender. Place a clean towel over opening in blender lid (to avoid splatters). Blend until smooth.
2. Pour pureed mixture into a medium saucepan; stir in 500 ml / 2 cups water and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
3. Top each serving with seeds.