Savor the Flavors of the Land: Enjoy Pumpkin Delights in Every Season
As the leaves fall and the days grow shorter, the author embarks on a mission to maintain a diet rich in local vegetables, even in the colder months. This week, they share their experience with a hearty pumpkin soup, perfect for the autumnal season.
The author initially attempted to cook down an extra Halloween pumpkin, but found it to be tasteless. However, undeterred, they sought out a more suitable pumpkin for cooking, settling on a sugar pie pumpkin. In a bid to save time, they improvised the soup recipe, skipping the chopping and measuring usually required.
The soup recipe, a delightful blend of flavours, includes coconut milk, garam masala, cinnamon, salt, cayenne pepper, and maple syrup. The author, who regularly makes steel cut oats overnight in their slow cooker, found the soup to be a welcome addition to their weekly meal rotation.
Cooking the pumpkin proved to be a bit of a challenge due to a lack of time for slow cooking. The author, therefore, opted to cook their pumpkin in an oven instead. Once cooked, the pumpkin was mashed and added to the soup pot, along with sautéed onions, garlic, water, and a stock cube. After a quick simmer, the soup was blended with a hand blender, creating a smooth and aromatic dish.
The author suggests serving the pumpkin soup with a side salad or fresh whole grain bread, making it a balanced and satisfying meal. For those seeking more pumpkin-based recipes, the author plans to experiment with making pumpkin risotto, homemade pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin pie, and various other pumpkin delights.
When it comes to choosing the right pumpkin for cooking, the author recommends varieties like the Sweet Lightning, known for its sweet and slightly nutty taste, or the Kabocha squash, which offers a natural sweetness with an edible skin. For traditional baking and purees, larger pumpkins like sugar or pie pumpkins are preferred.
Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, these tips and recipes are sure to inspire you to experiment with pumpkins this fall and winter. Happy cooking!
[1] Sweet Lightning (Mini Pumpkin) [2] Pumpkin and Chickpea Curry [3] Pumpkin Ravioli or Polenta with Roast Pumpkin [4] Larger Pumpkins for Puree and Pie [5] Kabocha Squash (Japanese Pumpkin)
- Embracing the minimalist lifestyle, the author decides to experiment with a simpler pumpkin recipe, attempting a Pumpkin and Chickpea Curry, appreciateable for both taste and ease.
- The author, intrigued by the food-and-drink section of the home-and-garden magazine, discovers a recipe for Pumpkin Ravioli or Polenta with Roast Pumpkin, making it a perfect addition to their upcoming dinner party menu.
- For those seeking more pumpkin-based recipes for the winter, the author suggests trying out various other pumpkin delights, such as a Kabocha Squash Pumpkin Spice Latte or a traditional pumpkin pie using larger pumpkins like the Sweet Lightning or sugar pumpkins.
