Whats Cookin – Spicy Pumpkin Soup

November 2024 Recipe…

As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing quite as comforting as a steaming bowl of soup to warm your soul. Fall is a wonderful time to enjoy a comforting and hearty soup that features the season’s bountiful ingredients. Here’s a delicious fall soup to enjoy.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium-sized pumpkin (about 3-4 pounds)
• 2 T olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• ½ tsp. ground coriander
• ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 can (14 ounces) coconut milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish (optional)

Directions:

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

Step 2: Start by preparing the pumpkin. Cut it in half, scoop out the seeds and stringy bits and then cut the flesh into large chunks. You can leave the skin on; it will soften during cooking and can be easily blended later.

Step 3: Place the pumpkin chunks on a baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast the pumpkin in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the flesh is tender and slightly caramelized.

Step 4: While the pumpkin is roasting, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté for about 5 minutes until they become translucent and fragrant.

Step 5: Add the ground cumin, coriander, cinnamon and cayenne pepper to the pot, stirring to toast the spices for about 1-2 minutes.

Step 6: Once the pumpkin is done roasting, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly. Then, scoop the roasted pumpkin flesh away from the skin and add it to the pot with the onions and spices.

Step 7: Pour in the vegetable broth and coconut milk. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for about 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 8: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until it’s smooth and creamy. Alternatively, you can carefully transfer the hot soup in batches to a blender and blend until smooth, then return it to the pot.

Step 9: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. If you prefer a spicier soup, you can add more cayenne pepper at this stage.

Step 10: Simmer the soup for an additional 5 minutes to heat through.

Step 11: Serve the spicy pumpkin soup hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or parsley if desired. You can also add a drizzle of coconut milk or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper for extra flair.