How to Make a Spicy Pumpkin Soup

Every fall, people rush out to buy pumpkins to make jack-o-lanterns for their Halloween decorations. You should not, however, just throw all of the meat of the pumpkin away. You can use it instead to make a hearty soup, full of flavor, that is also quite healthy. (Do not tell the family that, though. They really do not have to know.) A half-cup of pumpkin contains more than five times the daily requirement of vitamin A.

That same amount only has 41 calories and a healthy dose of potassium for good heart health. In addition, it has a decent amount of iron to help fight fatigue. No wonder pumpkin is considered one of the "power" foods.

One note: Fresh pumpkin, when mashed and cooked, can be a bit more watery than the canned variety. To thicken, just place in a saucepan over medium heat until it has achieved the desired consistency.

Ingredients for a Spicy Pumpkin Soup:

1 large minced onion

2 cups chicken stock

1½ cups pureed cooked pumpkin

½ teaspoon dried oregano

¼ teaspoon hot pepper sauce

¼ cup toasted pumpkin seeds

Step 1: Cook the onions until tender in a 2-quart saucepan in 2 tablespoons of the chicken stock.

Step 2: Add the rest of the stock along with the pumpkin, oregano, and hot pepper sauce. Simmer for 15 minutes.

Step 3: Serve using the pumpkin seeds as a garnish.

Tip: You can use any type of hot sauce that you like; however, I recommend a sauce called Chalula. (You will be able to recognize it in your grocery store by its distinctive round wooden top.) It is almost creamy and has an excellent flavor. My husband and I use it in almost everything.

Comments (5)

paul said:

	... Sounds pretty good. Thanks for the recipe!
	report abuse vote down vote up

October 28, 2010
Votes: +0

Cindy Bay said:

	... Oh, boy, that sure does sound good! I'll have to try this out.
	report abuse vote down vote up

October 28, 2010
Votes: +0

Carl Benjamin said:

	... I bet this tastes great. I just love pumpkin.
	report abuse vote down vote up

October 29, 2010
Votes: +0

bethweston71 said:

	... You just might make me try cooking pumpkin for the first time in my life with that yummy sounding recipe!
	report abuse vote down vote up

October 29, 2010
Votes: +0

Countrymom said:

	... I've been looking for a great pumpkin soup recipe for years. Thanks! PS not sure if I can find that hot sauce though, I've never seen it so I'll have to be on the look out :D
	report abuse vote down vote up

October 30, 2010
Votes: +0