Market Day Recipe; Butternut Soup

Thursday is market day in Ambert. In September the stalls are laden  with wonderful things that inspire new recipes.

 You have to leave early to buy the best produce.  Job and the mountains are bathed in sunshine but Ambert, down in the valley,  is still shrouded in mist.

Monsieur Blanchard grows the best organic produce high on the mountain at Valcivieres. His vegetables have unbelievably vibrant flavours.

I bought a selection of pumpkins and squashes.

For lunch I simmered a butternut squash in coconut milk with lemongrass, garlic, shallots and a little fresh chilli. Very very tasty. To make a heartier fish soup just add some prawns, tiny scallops and chunks of firm white fish and heat gently. Serve with fresh crusty bread.