If cold pumpkin soup sounds a little strange to you, you are not alone. Lots of people in the US have never encountered this cool, smooth treat, but they are missing out. If you have only every had pumpkin soup at Thanksgiving, you have never really experienced it. There are all kinds of soups from all over the world that you need to try.
Pumpkin soup is a real taste treat, even if the idea of an orange soup seems a little strange. Many people have never even tried the more common hot pumpkin bisque that is often made for Thanksgiving. However, if you have not had sweet, delicious cold pumpkin soup yet, you are missing out on a really delicious experience.
Serve up your favorite pumpkin soup in bowls or mugs, cook it right in the pumpkin, or hollow out a pumpkin to serve as centerpiece and serving dish, too. Garnish with green onion, chopped parsley, or sweet spices like cloves and cinnamon. While your family might start out skeptical, they will end up loving this unique dish.
Pumpkins do not just make creamy, delicious meals – they are also full of good nutrition. Vitamins A and C, iron and fiber are all found in pumpkins, as well as a number of other important nutrients, too. Even your kids will love eating their vegetables after you get them hooked on pumpkin soup.
Try Thai and Indonesian-inspired easy cold pumpkin soup that adds coconut and carrot, for a rich and exotic treat that’s excellent for those last hot days of late summer, when the pumpkins are coming into the market, but the temperature hasn’t cooled down yet. If you would like to enjoy this soup when pumpkins are not in season, frozen or canned puree can do the trick.
The best pumpkin to use for this kind of soup is a small pie or sugar pumpkin, not the kind you would buy for the kids to carve around Halloween. Halloween pumpkins are usually hard, fibrous, and tasteless, while pie pumpkins are sweeter and more tender. They are easy to prep for cooking. Just slice them in half to scoop out the seeds and cut your pumpkin into wedges.
Next, peel your pumpkin and cook the flesh until it is soft, or boil or bake it, then scoop the meat out of the skin once the pieces have cooled off. Either way, compost the parings or use them to make stock, then mash the pulp or put it in the blender.
Savory ingredients that go well with pumpkin include garlic and onion, as well as chicken and vegetable broths. Add in coconut, soy, or cow’s milk, or some cream or half and half. Then blend partially or completely to get a smooth result, with or without some textural pieces. Chill and serve for a real taste sensation.
Spicy pumpkin soup is delicious. Add some curry powder and crushed red pepper for a little heat and depth to your soup. If you find it is too hot for your taste, you can always cut some of the heat with some cream and brown sugar.
