Butternut Squash Soup a Cherokee Legacy

🧡 A Taste of Rahway

Remembering Queenie Fedyk

Almost everyone from Rahway has fond memories of Queenie Fedyk, a beloved and spirited woman who played an exhilarating role during Rahway High School football games. Her energy was magnetic — whether she was cheering from the sidelines or calling out to players, Queenie embodied the heart and soul of Rahway. Her presence wasn’t just felt — it was celebrated.

But Queenie was more than just the town’s biggest fan. She was a pillar of warmth, strength, and community, always greeting others with a smile and a sense of purpose. What many may not know is that Queenie was part Cherokee, and her proud heritage quietly infused the way she lived, loved, and nourished those around her.

Cherokee values — community, generosity, resilience — were reflected in every part of Queenie’s life. They also found their way into her kitchen, where she created simple, comforting dishes that made everyone feel at home.

👣 Childhood Memories on Broadway

Joe Fedyk, her son, was one of my best friends. From the first grade until we learned to drive, we walked to school together almost every day. One of the highlights of my morning routine was stopping by the Fedyk household — just three blocks down from mine on Broadway.

Queenie was always there: smiling, encouraging, and always cooking something that filled the house with the kind of aroma you’d never forget. She had a way of making you feel like family — offering advice, warmth, and usually a little food, even if you weren’t hungry.

She was like a second mom to me. And I was fortunate enough to be given a few of her handwritten recipes — treasures I’ve kept to this day.

One of my favorites is this Butternut Squash Soup. It’s simple, hearty, and comforting — just like Queenie. And as I’ve come to learn, it’s also deeply rooted in Indigenous food traditions.

🥣 A Cherokee Legacy in Every Bowl

Long before it became a staple in modern kitchens, squash was one of the essential crops cultivated by the Cherokee and other Native American peoples. Alongside corn and beans, it formed the “Three Sisters” — a triad of sacred crops grown together in harmony. Squash wasn’t just sustenance; it was a gift from the Creator, respected for its nourishing and healing properties.

The Cherokee often prepared squash in stews and broths, pairing it with herbs, wild greens, or game meat. While the modern butternut squash variety was developed in the 1940s, its ancestors were staples in Cherokee gardens and kitchens for centuries.

So when you enjoy Queenie’s Butternut Squash Soup, you’re not just tasting a recipe — you’re partaking in a tradition centuries old, rooted in family, culture, and the earth itself.

🍲 Queenie Fedyk’s Butternut Squash Soup

Circa 1950s | Shared by Chef Charles Knight
Prep Time: ~1 hour | Serves: 6

🧂 Ingredients:

• 1 white onion, peeled and chopped (#2 cutting cone)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 pounds butternut squash, peeled and grated (#1 cutting cone)
• ¼ teaspoon fresh nutmeg, grated
• 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• ½ cup cream or half-and-half
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• 6 teaspoons sour cream (optional)
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish

🛠️ Equipment:

• Butcher knife or cleaver
• Kitchen Machine food cutter
• 6-quart soup pot with a vented lid

👩🍳 Directions:

1. Prepare the Squash:
   Trim ¼ inch from both ends of the squash to create a stable base. Cut in half lengthwise, scoop out seeds, and cut into quarters, then eighths. Using a #1 cutting cone, grate and peel the squash with the skin facing away from the blade.

2. Sauté the Onion:
   Preheat your 5-qt soup pot over medium heat (225°F / 107°C). Melt the butter, then add the chopped onion. Sauté until tender and it begins to desolve in the butter. DO NOT allow the butter to burn. Let cool slightly.

3. Cook the Squash:
   Add the grated squash to the pot. For waterless cooking, cover and close the vent. Cook over low heat (175°F / 79°C) for about 25-30 minutes.

4. Simmer the Soup:
   Add the nutmeg, chicken broth, cream, and sugar. Stir thoroughly. Simmer, covered, over medium-low heat for another 15–20 minutes.

5. Serve:
   Ladle into bowls. Optional: top with a dollop of sour cream and a fresh basil leaf.

🌿 Serving Suggestions:

This soup is perfect for chilly fall evenings or as a cozy starter for a family meal. Pair it with warm bread, cornbread, or a crisp salad.

🌾 Final Thoughts

Queenie Fedyk’s soup — like the woman herself — is warm, strong, and unforgettable. It’s more than a meal; it’s a connection to Rahway’s community spirit, to cherished childhood memories, and to the enduring cultural legacy of the Cherokee people.

I hope you enjoy this dish as much as I have — and that it brings a little of Queenie’s love and light into your home, too.