Fall Squash Soup with Chorizo and Spicy cinnamon Croutons

Adapted from Caprial's Soups & Sandwiches. Pair with Cakebread Chardonnay.

1 medium sized butternut, hubbard, sweetmeat, or other fall squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into large dice
2 tbs olive oil, plus 1 tsp
1 tbs unsalted butter
2 large onions, cut into large dice
6 cloves garlic
1 cup marsala or dry sherry
8 cups chicken stock
1lb chorizo
1 tbs worcestershire sauce
1 tbs cayenne sauce
2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
2 tsp chopped fresh oregano
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Spicy cinnamon croutons (recipe below)

Preheat oven to 350. Place the squash on a roasting pan, toss it to coat with 2 tbs of the olive oil, and bake until tender and slightly caramelized, 25 - 30 minutes.

Heat the butter in a large stockpot over medium-high heat until hot. Add the onions and saute until tender and browned. Add the garlic, roasted squahs, and marsala, and cook over high heat until reduced by one-half. Add the stock, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer 10 to 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat the remaining teaspoon of olive oil in a saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the chorizo, cook until it is well browned, and then drain the fat well.

Strain the squash and stock mixture through a fine sieve. Puree the solids and return the puree to the stockpot. Stir in the chorizo, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne sauce, thyme, and oregano, and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Spicy Cinnamon Croutons

1/4 cup butter
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 tsp chile powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 baguette cut into 1/4" cubes

Preheat the oven to 375. Melt the butter in a saute pan over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, chile powder, and cinnamon, and cook 2 - 3 minutes, or until bubbly. Transfer to a large bowl. Add the bread and toss to evenly coat. Spread the croutons on a sheet pan and bake until crispy and caramelized, 25 - 30 minutes. Remove the croutons from the oven and cool on a wire rack. Don't worry if they stick together. They will break apart as they cool.