BUTTERNUT SOUP WITH PEARS AND APPLES

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large soup pot over medium-high heat.
• Add in onion and celery; stir/saute for 4 minutes or until tender.
• Add in squash and the next 8 ingredients; bring to a boil.
• Partially cover, lower heat, and simmer 30 minutes or until tender.
• Throw out bay leaf.
• Transfer half of squash mixture to the container of a blender or food processor; process until smooth.
• Pour puree into a bowl; repeat procedure with the remaining squash mixture.
• Return all puree mixture to soup pot; stir in syrup.
• Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until well heated.
• **Could use stick blender in soup pot instead of pureeing in blender.