Acorn Squash-Thyme Soup

• 9 large acorn squash, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 medium leeks
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine, divided
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
• 5 cups chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
• Garnish: 8 fresh thyme sprigs

1. Cut a 1-inch slice from bottom of 8 squash, allowing squash to sit flat. Remove stems from tops. Scoop out and discard seeds. Sprinkle squash with salt and pepper, and place, cut side up, in a lightly greased 15- x 10-inch jellyroll pan.
2. Bake at 350u0b0 for 30 minutes or until tender. Cool slightly. Scoop out squash pulp, leaving 1/4-inch-thick shells. Reserve pulp; place shells in plastic bags. Seal and chill 8 hours.
3. Peel remaining acorn squash; remove seeds, and chop pulp.
4. Remove and discard green tops from leeks, and discard. Cut white portions in half lengthwise, and cut into 1/2-inch slices.
5. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large Dutch oven over medium or medium-high heat; add chopped squash, leeks, garlic, and 2 tablespoons thyme. Saute 10 minutes. Add broth, and cook 30 minutes or until squash is tender. Stir in reserved baked squash pulp. Cool slightly.
6. Process mixture, in batches, in a food processor or blender until smooth. Return to Dutch oven; cover and chill 8 hours.
7. Stir half-and-half into soup; cook until heated. (Do not boil.)
8. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet. Add squash shells, cut sides down, and cook 2 minutes or until edges are browned. Serve soup in shells, and garnish, if desired.

acorn, salt, pepper, leeks, butter, garlic, thyme, chicken broth, thyme

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/acorn-squash-thyme-soup (may not work)