Halloween Pumpkin Soup
In case you haven’t noticed Halloween is on the way, time to get creative and start carving pumpkins to put in the window. The origins of carving faces into pumpkins is lost in time. As a child pumpkins were not commonly found in shops and we used to use carve turnips into Jack O’Lanterns. We had great fun making funny faces in them, the hard part was scooping out the insides.
Pumpkins are much easier to carve and I have been creative over the years. I managed to make a dragon pumpkin one year and even a puffle pumpkin when my son was really into Club Penguin. Originally a Jack O’Lantern was a watchman with a lantern, but it is also another name for a will o’wisp. These are strange lights seen over the marshes at night which are said to signify the presence of ghosts. Possibly the carved pumpkin acts as a ward against ghosts on Halloween, when ghosts are meant to be out and about. The problem with carving pumpkins is that you are always left with a large amount of pumpkin that needs to be used up. Pumpkins also contain large amounts of seeds, which can be toasted and eaten. This year I am going to plant some and see if I can grow a few pumpkins next year. I had great success with my potatoes, tomatoes and broccoli this year when I planted my vegetable garden. Sadly the slugs ate all my butternut squash.
While there are all sorts of recipes for left over pumpkin I like to use mine to make a big pot of Halloween Pumpkin Soup. It is a lovely warming soup that can be served with warm bread, the perfect snack for trick or treaters coming home on a cold night. It will no doubt be followed by plenty of sweet treats but it is great for warming you up. It would also make a great centre piece for a Halloween party, served in a cauldron or a hollowed out pumpkin (without the face carved in it!).
I found that pumpkin on it’s own could be a little bland but adding a couple of potatoes into the soup adds a touch of creaminess to the soup. I spiced my soup up with chilli and garlic flakes and a little black pepper. Other spices can be used instead, nutmeg and cinnamon are also a favourite.
Halloween Pumpkin Soup
Halloween Pumpkin Soup
Ingredients
- 1 onion
- 2 potatoes
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 large pumpkin
- 1 litre vegetable stock
- olive oil
- salt and pepper to season
- garlic and chilli flakes to season
Instructions
- Peel and chop the onions, garlic, potatoes and pumpkin.
- Place some oil in a large pan and add the onions and garlic.
- Gently cook the onions and garlic until soft.
- Add the potatoes, pumpkin and stock and bring to a simmer.
- Simmer until the potatoes and pumpkin are soft.
- Use a blender to blend the mixture until it is smooth.
- Add salt, pepper and garlic and chilli flakes to season
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These looks gorgeous! My pumpkin soup always is a bit thicker, too thick really so must take note and add more stock!
I roast my pumpkin for soup as it just easier than peeling and cutting it all up, lazy but tasty way! :-)#TastyTuesday
I must try roasting the pumpkin, it took ages to chop it all up. Mind you if you are carving one anyway you already have all the bits
That sounds very tasty…I think I might give pumpkin soup a try this year x
It is really easy to do and uses up the pumpkin quickly
I had some pumpkin soup yesterday too and it is so perfect for this time of year.
It really is perfect comfort food
this looks amazing , i could do with a bowl of this right now.
Thank you, passes large bowl full of soup
You can’t beat a steaming bowl of soup on a cold autumn evening, it’s the ultimaye comfort food 🙂
It really is perfect on a cold and windy day
The blasted slugs ate all my squash plants this summer too as I didn’t want to use any chemicals to kill them off. I love pumpkin soup, and yours is a delicious version. I like to add a bit of lentils to the pumpkin soup.
I am always worried about using chemicals in case they harm the dog. Slugs are a real pain
I love pumpkin soup and its a great way to use up the flesh of a pumpkin 🙂 x #TastyTuesdays
It really is, and quick and easy as well
Love, love, love pumpkin soup and adore your recipe! My Mum adds a bit of cinnamon to it and crumbled feta on the top really goes too! Pumpkin soup, Greek-style! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdaysx
ooh like the idea of cinnamon
Nice recipe, mine is always thick and i dont add potatoes, this one is looking better.
Thank you, I normally have the opposite problem but the potatoes made a nice constencey