• knife
• sturdy spoon
• 1 or 2 shallow baking dishes
• food processor
• medium sauce pan
• wooden spoon

• several ounces water
• 2 pounds winter squash (I like butternut)
• 1 head garlic
• 3-4 c vegetable stock or water
• salt

Cut the unpeeled squash in half, scoop out and discard the seeds, and cut the squash into 2-in chunks. Arrange the pieces in a single layer in the baking dish, flesh-side down. Separate the garlic head into individual cloves but do not peel, and sprinkle them in the baking dish alongside the squash.

Bake for an hour or so, until squash is soft. Let cool for a few minutes, then place squash in food processor. For each clove of garlic, squeeze over food processor to extrude roasted garlic from skin. Process for a minute or two, until smooth.

Heat vegetable stock over medium heat, add puréed squash along with a bit of salt and bring to a simmer. Taste and add more stock/salt as need. Serve hot, with croutons.