Delicious Pumpkin Soup Recipe for Halloween

The Origins of Pumpkin Carving

Pumpkin carving, a staple of Halloween festivities, has a rich history. The tradition dates back to 1837 in America, evolving from the Samhain custom of carving turnips into lanterns to honor souls in purgatory. Pumpkins, being larger and easier to carve, soon replaced turnips, becoming the iconic symbol of Halloween we know today.

Beyond Jack-o'-Lanterns: Culinary Uses for Pumpkins

While pumpkins are famous for their spooky faces, they are also incredibly versatile in the kitchen. Similar in texture to butternut squash, pumpkins can be used in soups, stews, and a variety of other dishes. This Halloween, consider buying an extra pumpkin to create a delicious and warming pumpkin soup.

Important Note:

Once a pumpkin is carved and left in the open air for 24 hours, it can become unsafe to eat. For this recipe, ensure you use a fresh pumpkin.

Pumpkin Soup Recipe

Serves: 6

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 1 kg pumpkin (or butternut squash), peeled, deseeded, and chopped into chunks
• 700 ml vegetable stock or chicken stock
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 142 ml double cream
• 4 slices wholemeal seeded bread
• Handful of pumpkin seeds (from a packet or use seeds from your pumpkin)

Method:

1. Sauté Onions: Heat 2 Tbsp of olive oil in a large saucepan. Cook the onions over a gentle heat for 5 minutes.
2. Cook Pumpkin: Add the pumpkin chunks and cook for an additional 10 minutes, turning occasionally until golden.
3. Add Stock: Pour in the stock and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes or until the pumpkin is very soft.
4. Blend Soup: Add the double cream, bring back to a boil, then puree the mixture using a food blender or hand blender. For an extra smooth texture, push the soup through a sieve into another pan.
5. Prepare Bread and Seeds: Serve the soup with slices of bread, either buttered or cut into croutons and fried in the remaining 2 Tbsp of oil. If making croutons, remove the bread when crisp and add the pumpkin seeds to the pan, cooking for 2 minutes until toasted. Use as garnish.

Nutritional Information:

Fun Pumpkin Facts

• Pumpkin Production: The United States produced over 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins in 2020, with Illinois being the top producer (USDA).
• Nutritional Value: Pumpkins are rich in vitamins A and C, potassium, and fiber, making them a healthy addition to your diet (Healthline).

Additional Resources

For more creative pumpkin recipes and ideas, check out these authoritative sources:

• BBC Good Food
• AllRecipes

Stay tuned for our next article in the series: Pumpkin Stock – a thrifty way to use every part of your pumpkin!

Once you've got your Halloween decorations sorted, including spider webs, spooky faces, and scary bunting, check out our Fancy Dress Ideas for budget-friendly Halloween costumes!