Roasted Ontario Apple and Sweet Potato Soup

• 10 cups sweet potatoes peeled and 1-inch cubed 2.5 cm, approx. 5 to 6 sweet potatoes (approx. 5 to 6 medium-sized potatoes or 1 kg [2 lbs] 2.5L)
• 3 cups Ontario Spartan* apples peeled, cored and quartered (approx. 5 to 6 or 1 kg [2 lbs]) 750 mL
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon ground 2 mL
• 1 long red chili pepper left whole,ends removed
• 5 tbsp vegetable or canola oil 75 mL
• 1 tbsp salt 15 mL
• 2 tsp black pepper freshly ground 10 mL
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter 30 mL
• 2 cups peeled and chopped onions 500 mL
• 3 sprigs thyme fresh
• 3 cups milk 750 mL
• 4-1/2 cups cold water 1.125 L
• 2 tsp cider vinegar 10 mL

Spiced Walnuts

• 1 tbsp butter unsalted 15 mL
• 2 sprigs thyme fresh
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon 1 mL
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper 1 mL
• 1 cup walnut halves 250 mL
• 1/2 tsp salt 2 mL
• 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground 1 mL