This butternut squash apple soup is really easy and kid-friendly. This soup is vegan and allergy-free, and is a delicious healthy meal the whole family can enjoy. You can adjust the spices and sweetness to taste.

I get constant requests for family-friendly soup recipes for babies, toddlers, and young children. This butternut squash soup with apple comes from The Pediatrician’s Guide To Feeding Babies and Toddlers by Dr Anthony Porto and Dr Dina Dimaggio, This book is a fantastic resource for reliable nutrition information for young children. It also contains some awesome recipes like this butternut squash apple soup.

The book is broken up into developmental chapters. The first chapter covers what you need to know when your baby is 0 to 3 months old: help with breastfeeding, guidance for choosing and using formulas, the lowdown on bottles and nipples, a yardstick for expected growth, information on dealing with milk allergies, and coping with constipation.

At 4 to 6 months there’s information about expected developmental milestones, recommendations for introducing solid foods, and making your own baby food. Chapter 3 covers what your baby needs when he or she is 7 to 8 months old such as tips for balancing solid foods with breast milk and formula, teething issues, failure to thrive, celiac disease, and reflux. For babies 9 to 12 months old, you need to know about good finger foods, checking for food allergies, monitoring anemia, and coping with diarrhea.

Then, the book moves on to the toddler years, with tips for picky eaters, guidance for dealing with constipation, practical tips for potty training, and great information for managing autism. There is also a great chapter covering common medical conditions like gastrointestinal disorders and allergies, and tips for finding good specialists for specific issues.

Along with all of this fantastic practical advice, each chapter contains delicious recipes that parents can enjoy with their children. Some of my favorites include the: red,white, and blueberry overnight oats, sweet potato pudding, broccoli lentil soup, sunflower seed butter and fruit quesadillas, and almond butter bites.

This butternut quash soup is from the 4 to 6 months chapter. The reason Tony and Dina include this recipe is that butternut squash is sweet and delicious (popular with children), but it also has a low risk for food allergies. But, Tony and Dina recommend waiting until your child is 6 months of age to make this soup as butternut squash is a high-nitrate food. This soup is a good source of fiber for infants (and adults), which is useful for maintaining regular soft stools; is an excellent source of vitamin A, potassium, and iron; and a good source of folate, and vitamins C, E, and K.

I used vegetable broth in this recipe as I was making it for adults. But, if you’re making this recipe for very small children, use the filtered water.

Get your copy of The Pediatrician’s Guide To Feeding Babies and Toddlers, and learn more about by Anthony Porto and Dina Dimaggio.