Cheesy Vegetable Chowder

I love to sneak veggies into soups. This Chowder is jam packed....I opened my fridge one day, looked inside, and this cheesy, creamy concoction thats full of vegetable goodness was born. So feel free to trade one veggie for another..make it your own!

Ingredients:

4 Tbs butter

1 small onion

1 shallot bulb

8 celery ribs

4 small carrots, peeled and chopped

2 small potatoes peeled and diced 

1 1/2 cups butternut squash, diced

4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth

4 cups spinach, roughly chopped

2 cups milk 

1/2 cup cream

1 1/2 Tbs corn starch

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

salt

pepper

1/4 tsp cayenne 

Directions:

1) In a deep pot melt Butter over medium heat. Add onions, Shallots and celery to the butter; saute until transparent but not brown.

2) Add carrots and squash to the onion mixture; cook until tender

3) Add the potatoes to the pot, cover with the broth and bring it to a low boil. when the potatoes are tender; add the spinach

4) Add the milk. Then in a small bowl make a slurry with the cream and corn starch; when the soup starts to simmer all the cream mixture stir until thickened and at a low boil.

5) Stir in the  cheese when its all combined and creamy add the cayenne and salt and pepper to taste.

Top with crispy pancetta or bacon, cheese, and chives.