Pumpkin soup
Whip up this easy pumpkin soup as a starter for a dinner party or a light supper when you need a bit of comfort – it has a lovely silky texture
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Prep:20 mins
Cook:25 mins
- Serves 6
- Easy
Nutrition per serving
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kcal 317
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fat 24g
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saturates 9g
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carbs 20g
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sugars 6g
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fibre 0g
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protein 6g
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salt 0.54g
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- 1kg pumpkins or squash (try kabocha), peeled, deseeded and chopped into chunks
- 700ml vegetable stock or chicken stock
- 142ml pot double cream
- 4 slices wholemeal seeded bread
- handful pumpkin seed from a packet
Tip
Or why not try...Taking the tops off whole acorn squash, scooping out seeds and roasting whole until tender. Stuff with goat’s cheese and basil, then cook until the cheese has melted.Use a soup maker
Save time and effort by placing all your ingredients in a soup maker and whizzing up a delicious soup in no time. Read our review on some of the best soup makers available.
Is pumpkin healthy?Pumpkin is rich in vital vitamins and minerals. Discover what makes pumpkin so good for you by reading our guide to the health benefits of pumpkin, plus the best healthy pumpkin & squash recipes.
Method
Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan, then gently cook 2 finely chopped onions for 5 mins, until soft but not coloured. Add 1kg peeled, deseeded and chopped pumpkin or squash to the pan, then carry on cooking for 8-10 mins, stirring occasionally until it starts to soften and turn golden.
Pour 700ml vegetable stock into the pan, then season with salt and pepper. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 10 mins until the squash is very soft. Pour the 142ml pot of double cream into the pan, bring back to the boil, then purée with a hand blender. For an extra-velvety consistency you can now push the soup through a fine sieve into another pan. The soup can now be frozen for up to 2 months.
While the soup is cooking, slice the crusts from 4 slices of wholemeal seed bread, then cut the bread into small croutons. Heat the remaining 2 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan, then fry the bread until it starts to become crisp. Add a handful of pumpkin seeds to the pan, then cook for a few mins more until they are toasted. These can be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container. Reheat the soup if needed, taste for seasoning, then serve scattered with croutons and seeds and drizzled with more olive oil, if you want.
