P is for Pumpkin
When I first came to live in Canada I couldn't believe the only use for pumpkin was in a very sweet dessert which I personally did not enjoy. They are classified as a squash and are native to North America although it is certainly available in Europe. The first time I ate pumpkin was in Malta. The yacht club had a barbecue/party on the roof of their building and one of the featured foods was pumpkin soup served in a pumpkin skin which acted as an insulator keeping the soup warm. I have since made pumpkin soup for many years and have certainly copied the idea of serving it in the pumpkin shell at parties. In the late fall, it is a vegetable that is seen almost everywhere in North America both for carving and installing lanterns for Hallow E'en and for making pumpkin pies. Meanwhile I make pumpkin soup.
The following recipe I have used for many years although I see there are many different soup recipes today as well as curries and such.
Pumpkin Soup - Time Life
1/2 oz butter
2 Tbs finely chopped onion
2 Cups cooked Pumpkin
1 UK pt chicken stock
1 UK pt Half and half
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
2-3 drops Tabasco
1/2 tsp salt
1. If using fresh pumpkin, cook it til mushy. If using canned, drain.
2. In a heavy 5 pt. saucepan, melt butter over mod. heat. When the foam subsides cook onion for 2 to 3 mins, stirring, until they are transparent but not brown. Add the pumpkin, stock, cloves, sugar,. lemon juice, Tabasco and salt. Stir thoroughly to blend all the ingredients
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to its lowest point and cook the soup, stirring occasionally, for 15 mins. Then purée the soup. Stir in the half and half and return the soup to a pan to reheat without boiling. Taste for seasoning.
4. Can be garnished with croutons and served hot, or served chilled with slices of chilled, peeled orange.
Servings: 4
Source: Time Life US
Have a great day
The following recipe I have used for many years although I see there are many different soup recipes today as well as curries and such.
Pumpkin Soup - Time Life
1/2 oz butter
2 Tbs finely chopped onion
2 Cups cooked Pumpkin
1 UK pt chicken stock
1 UK pt Half and half
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
2-3 drops Tabasco
1/2 tsp salt
1. If using fresh pumpkin, cook it til mushy. If using canned, drain.
2. In a heavy 5 pt. saucepan, melt butter over mod. heat. When the foam subsides cook onion for 2 to 3 mins, stirring, until they are transparent but not brown. Add the pumpkin, stock, cloves, sugar,. lemon juice, Tabasco and salt. Stir thoroughly to blend all the ingredients
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to its lowest point and cook the soup, stirring occasionally, for 15 mins. Then purée the soup. Stir in the half and half and return the soup to a pan to reheat without boiling. Taste for seasoning.
4. Can be garnished with croutons and served hot, or served chilled with slices of chilled, peeled orange.
Servings: 4
Source: Time Life US
Have a great day
I had pumpkin soup for the first time a few months ago. I was surprised at how delicious it was. I have had it a few times since and always enjoyed the taste of it. Before then it was mainly pumpkin pies and pumpkin bread I would have eaten with pumpkin in it.
ReplyDeletebetty
Yes it is delicious. Most people on this side of the pond don't seem to have heard of Pumpkin soup Betty.
DeleteWhen it comes to pumpkin, I like pumpkin bread best.
ReplyDeleteDon't think I've ever had it Alex. Zucchini and Banana bread yes. Not pumpkin. Have you tried the soup, it's wonderful.
DeleteI've never tried pumpkin soup, but now I definitely want to. It sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteIt really is Jennifer.
DeleteI like making pumpkin face. One year my brother stuck his face between two and pretended to be one, so hilarious.
ReplyDeleteBut you should try pumpkin soup Spacerguy
DeleteI really like pumpkin soup. I like cooking with squashes (usually butternut squash) but, as you probably know, you can only get pumpkins here in England around Halloween time.
ReplyDeleteThat's Purrfect
Me too Patricia. I miss marrow. No matter what people say, it is NOT the same as a large zucchini. I used to enjoy it either stuffed or just cooked as a veg. dripping with butter LOL
DeleteI'm not a fan of squash so I only carve the pumpkins and roast the seeds, or buy canned pumpkin for cookies or muffins/cupcakes.
ReplyDeleteI am surprised JoJo, I would have thought you would enjoy pumpkin pies and breads.
DeleteI love pumpkin. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin cupcakes, pumpkin soup, roasted pumpkin. Yum.
ReplyDeleteI really need to try pumpkin pie again Denise, it's long overdue.
DeleteIt's funny--fall comes and everyone's all "pumpkin everything." Fall ends and it's forgotten for another year. Aside from the color and the use in decorations, there's really no reason pumpkin has to be a fall taste.
ReplyDeleteI have pumpkin soup in my freezer Stephanie. That means we can have it most of the year long.
DeleteI love pumpkin in just about every form except sweet pumpkin pie which I tried once and hated. Pumpkin soup, though, is lovely and, having just been given a nice fresh pumpkin from my sister-in-law's garden, it's on the menu for the weekend.
ReplyDeleteI felt the same about sweet pumpkin pie when I tried it Helen, I plan to try it again this year to see if my taste has changed. Got soup in my freezer.
DeleteI grow pumpkin and use it for everything. I love pumpkin soup. I use ginger and nutmeg in mine.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of ginger in pumpkin soup Ruth. But I do enjoy the clove taste.
DeleteWe eat pumpkin pie and roasted pumpkin seeds throughout the year. Pumpkins are not useful during Halloween only.
ReplyDeleteNo I agree Stephen, although I have never roasted the seeds. Guess I should try one of these days.
DeleteMy Dad grows his own pumpkins and makes his own pumpkin soup. He gave me a tip the other day to always bake the pumpkin in the oven first because it makes it taste sweeter. Do you agree?
ReplyDeleteDon't know Pinky, never tried it. I should put it to the test.
DeleteThe only use I have for pumpkins is to make a jack o lantern. I don't like pumpkin pie or bread but I have made the pie for my hubby
ReplyDeleteSo you should try the soup Birgit. You may find you like that.
DeleteI enjoy mine savoury though, with pumpkin muffins, I use sweet potato instead and add the pumpkin spices. But with real squash, I go for savoury over sweet, all day long.
ReplyDeleteSo do I Ivy which is why I didn't get on with Pumpkin Pie when I first tasted it. As I say, I should try it again one of these days.
Delete