4 butternut squash soup with toasted walnuts Recipes

cubed peeled butternut squash (about 2 1/4 lb), olive oil, salt, divided, freshly ground black pepper, divided, warm 2% reduced-fat milk, divided, fat-free , less-sodium chicken broth, divided, chopped walnuts, toasted

unsalted butter, sliced leeks, white parts only, minced garlic, peeled and roughly diced butternut squash, peeled and roughly diced apples, toasted spice rub , recipe follows, chicken stock or 2 (14 1/2-oz) cans low-sodium chicken broth mixed with 3 cups water, sea salt , preferably gray salt, chopped spiced candied walnuts , recipe follows, optional, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, crushed red pepper flakes, pure california chili powder (about 1-oz), kosher salt, ground cinnamon, peanut or canola oil, walnut halves, sugar , sifted, cayenne pepper, ground cinnamon, salt, or more to taste, freshly ground black pepper

frozen pureed winter squash, de-frosted (butternut), unsalted butter, unsweetened applesauce, light cream or 1 cup heavy cream, ground toasted walnuts, dried chervil, crumbled, ground mace, salt, white pepper, toasted walnut pieces (to garnish )