Here's a delicious recipe for Pumpkin Soup tailored for a larger pumpkin variety, such as a sugar pumpkin or a standard carving pumpkin (though sugar pumpkins are preferred for their sweeter, denser flesh). It serves 6-8 and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes total, including roasting time.
Pumpkin Soup
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients:
– 4 to 5 cups of canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugar and spices).
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 large onion, chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
– 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut milk for a dairy-free option)
– 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
– Salt and black pepper to taste
– 2 tablespoons butter
– Optional: 1/4 cup sour cream or creme fraiche for garnish
– Optional: Fresh thyme or parsley for garnish
Instructions:
1. Saute Aromatics: In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and saute for 5-7 minutes until translucent. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
2. Combine and Simmer: Add 4-5 cups canned pumpkin puree, 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir well, bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Blend: Use an immersion blender to puree until smooth (or blend in batches). Stir in 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut milk), adjusting consistency with more broth or water if needed.
4. Serve: Ladle into bowls, garnish with sour cream or creme fraiche and fresh thyme or parsley if desired.
Notes
A standard 15-ounce can of pumpkin puree is about 1.75 cups, so you'll need 2.5 to 3 cans (around 37.5-45 ounces total) to reach 4-5 cups. Check labels to ensure it's 100 percent pure pumpkin.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
