Ingredients

• 1 fresh lemongrass stalk, root end trimmed and 1 or 2 outer layers discarded
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 3/4 pounds kabocha or butternut squash
• 2 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels (10 ounces; from 2 to 3 ears)
• 5 cups water
• Garnish: cilantro leaves

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Instructions

1. Cut off and discard top of lemongrass, leaving a 6-inch stalk, then smash stalk with side of a large heavy knife.
2. Cook lemongrass, onion, and 1 teaspoon salt in butter and oil in a heavy medium pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, about 10 minutes. Add squash, corn, water, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and bring to a boil over high heat.
3. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until squash is tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and discard lemongrass.
4. Purée soup in 3 or 4 batches in a blender until very smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids), straining each batch as blended through a fine-mesh sieve into a large heatproof bowl, pressing hard on and then discarding solids. Season with salt and pepper and reheat if necessary.