When most of us think of what to make out of a pumpkin, we think pie or possibly a sweet bread. Goodness knows I dearly love both of these uses, but I think it’s sad that people forget how good pumpkin can be in savory dishes, too. In particular, it makes a fabulous soup.
Here’s a recipe I found in a cookbook I found recently on a sale table at Borders: Modern Moroccan.
Velvety Pumpkin Soup with Rice and Cinnamon:
About 2lb. 7oz. pumpkin
3 Cups chicken stock
3 Cups milk
2-3 tsp sugar
12/2 Cup cooked white rice
Salt and ground black pepper
1 tsp ground cinnamon to serve
Serves 4
Remove any seeds or fibers from the pumpkins. Cut off the peel and chop the flesh. Put the prepared pumpkin into a pan and add the stock, milk, sugar, and seasoning. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the pumpkin is tender. Drain the pumpkin, reserving the liquid, and puree in a food processor, then return to the pan.
Bring the soup back to the boil again, throw in the rice and simmer for a few minutes, until the grains are reheated. Check the seasoning. Dust with cinnamon and pour into bowls. Serve piping hot with chunks of bread.
If you wouldn’t mind a suggestion from me, I’d pick a hearty, crusty bread, possibly in a whole grain.
Enjoy!
I assume that should be 1/2 cup of rice not 12/2 cup?
I found a really great wild rice bread at the local farmer’s market. I’ll bet it would be great with the soup.
Comment by Fabrisse — October 12, 2008 @ 3:43 pm
D’oh! That’s what I get for not telling my brother to shut the hell up when I’m working. Yes, Farisse, you are absolutely correct. It’s 1/2 Cup of rice.
Comment by Twistie — October 12, 2008 @ 5:05 pm
Nearly any squash will make a great soup. I think the secret is knowing what to mix with it. Cinnamon is a great spice to use with pumpkin, of course; I like nutmeg as well, but it is not as common in Moroccan cooking, I believe.
Comment by Erik — October 12, 2008 @ 7:52 pm
This soup sounds so much better than the Rachel Ray version I made a couple years ago.
Comment by Sarah — October 13, 2008 @ 1:03 pm
I make pumpkin risotto every fall, though you could make it with any kind of squash. Just quarter a small pumpkin, microwave a couple of the pieces until it’s cooked and soft, and mix it into a standard risotto right before it’s done. It’s incredible.
Comment by Dragonbait — October 13, 2008 @ 9:10 pm
I was wondering if you knew of a good non-dairy milk substitute for in this soup? As much as I love dairy, it does terrible things to me…
Comment by sarcozona — October 19, 2008 @ 10:35 am