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Creamy Spiced Pumpkin Soup with Toasted Seeds

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: North African
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 350kcal

Description

A zero-waste cosy bowl featuring spiced pumpkin soup, pumpkin cream, and crunchy toasted seeds all made from one pumpkin. Flavoured with harissa, ginger, and turmeric for warmth. Perfect for a comforting autumn meal.

Ingredients

For the Soup

  • 1 large pumpkin or squash peeled and chopped
  • olive oil for roasting and frying
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 1 tsp grated ginger
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tbsp harissa
  • 1 tbsp sun-dried tomato paste
  • 3 cups vegetable stock approx. 750ml converted
  • sea salt and pepper to taste

Crispy Bits

  • 1/4 of the pumpkin, skin left on, diced small

Toasted Seeds

  • pumpkin seeds
  • olive oil a little
  • pinch salt

Pumpkin Cream

  • 3 tbsp pumpkin purée reserved from soup
  • 3 tbsp coconut cream or yoghurt
  • pinch salt
  • splash water to loosen

Instructions

Roast the Pumpkin

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C fan).
  • Peel ¾ of the pumpkin and chop into chunks.
  • Dice the remaining ¼ with skin on into tiny cubes for crispy bits.
  • Spread both on baking trays with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  • Roast pumpkin flesh for 30–40 minutes until soft, and crispy bits for 25–35 minutes until golden.
  • Toast pumpkin seeds separately for 8–12 minutes.

Make the Base

  • In a pot, fry onion in olive oil for 10 minutes until soft.
  • Add garlic, ginger, and spices, and cook for 1 minute.

Blend the Soup

  • Add roasted pumpkin flesh, harissa, and sun-dried tomato paste.
  • Blend until smooth, reserving 3 tablespoons of purée for the pumpkin cream.
  • Return to pan, add vegetable stock, and simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Prepare Pumpkin Cream

  • Mix the reserved pumpkin purée with coconut cream, a pinch of salt, and a splash of water until silky smooth.

Serve

  • Ladle soup into bowls, swirl in pumpkin cream, and scatter crispy skin bits and toasted seeds.
  • Finish with black pepper or chilli flakes for extra heat if desired.

Notes

  • For extra heat, add chilli flakes when serving.
  • Use any type of squash if pumpkin is not available.