Pumpkin Soup is the perfect soup for Fall. It's guaranteed to make you feel warm and cozy inside. And look at how beautiful it is! Who could resist? Certainly not us!
Here's what you'll need:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 cups vegetable stock
2 cups of pumpkin puree, homemade* or canned
1 cup non-dairy milk
2 tablespoons maple syrup
salt and pepper
non-dairy cream (optional)
toasted pumpkin seeds (optional)
Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium heat, add the onion and saute for 3 to 5 minutes until translucent. Stir in the garlic and continue to cook for another minute or two, stirring continuously. Finally, stir in the vegetable stock and the pumpkin puree.
Allow the mixture to come to a bubble, then reduce the heat to a simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Use an Immersion Hand Blender to puree the soup until it is smooth and silky. If you don't have an immersion hand blender, you can use your upright blender, allowing the soup to cool slightly before blending. If necessary, blend in batches, then return the soup to the pot over medium-low heat. Stir in the milk and maple syrup—season with salt and pepper to taste, and bring the soup back up to a simmer before serving.
Garnish each individual serving with a drizzle of non-dairy cream or plain vegan yogurt and toasted pumpkin seeds.
Pumpkin Puree
*To make the pumpkin puree, cut the stem off the top of the pumpkin like you would if you were making a Jack O' Lantern. Then quarter the pumpkin by cutting it in half, turning it to a 90° angle, and cutting it in half again. Cut or scrape the seeds away, but don't toss them! Instead, reserve the seeds for Toasted Pumpkin Seeds. Place the pumpkin onto a baking sheet flesh side up in a 350° oven for 45 to 50 minutes or until fork-tender. Remove the pumpkin from the oven and set aside until the pieces are cool enough to handle. Then scrape all of the flesh into the bowl of your food processor, discarding the skin and pulsing until smooth. It's now ready to use!
