I should admit that I have never made soup with Hooligan Pumpkins! Every week I write these recipes before we actually get the CSA bag but most of them I have an idea of what I'm doing :) But I'm excited to create something new.  Maybe you know what you're doing- if that's the case you can use this as a guideline. I got a few different ideas by checking out some recipes online.  Here we go...

This recipe is for 2 pumpkin bowls, if we can more pumpkins you can increase the recipe by the correct proportions.  

With the other great veggies we are getting, I'm planning a roasted beet and kale salad.

What you'll use from your bag:
Hooligan Pumpkins (2)
Garlic (1-2 cloves)
Onion (1/4 of a small onion, chopped)

What else you'll need:
Butternut Squash (about 1lb)
Veg Broth or Water (2.5 cups)
Butter (vegan)
Sugar
Thyme (fresh, 1 sprig)
Salt
Almond Milk (2 Tbs, optional)
Croutons or Pumpkin Seeds (optional, garnish)

First, Prepare:

• Cut the top of the pumpkins and remove the insides
• Sprinkle insides with a little sugar & salt
• Put pumpkins and their tops on a baking sheet and roast for about 30 minutes at 400 degrees
• Peel and Cut the Squash in about 1 inch pieces/cubes

Next, Make the Soup:

• In a saucepan, melt 2-3 Tbs. of butter. Add the onion and garlic and thyme of the sprig and saute for 3 minutes or so (until onion is tender)
• Put your cut up squash in the saucepan, stir to combine and cook for about 5 minutes- sprinkle with salt
• Add 2.5 cups of Water or Veg Broth. 
• Reduce heat & simmer for about 15 minutes until squash is tender

Then, Puree & Serve:

• With an immersion blender (if you have one) puree the soup to smooth. If you don't have one you can transfer the mixture to a blender or mash with a hand masher for a chunkier consistency. 
• Stir in the Almond Milk if using
• Gently scoop the soup mixture into the pumpkins
• Garnish with croutons or pumpkin seeds & serve

Happy Eating!

I'm back on the CSA recipe task- I'm sorry there was a long hiatus; I hope everyone made it through!  With the official end of summer this weekend I was inspired to create a soup recipe with our CSA goodies this week.  Because I have not yet made this exact recipe and do not know the size of the squash & potatoes, you will have to eye ball the measurements and use this recipe as a guideline.  I added carrots and apple to this soup for a tad of sweetness but they are not necessary if you're ready to cook and don't have them lying around. This is not a challenging recipe to make and will likely take about 45 minutes total from start to enjoying. Here we go...


What you'll use from your bag:

• Acorn Squash 
• Kennebec Potatoes 
• Garlic (chopped)
• Onion (chopped)

What else you'll need:

• 1 Apple (recommended but optional)
• 2 Carrots (recommended but optional)
• Veg. Broth (or half broth half Almond Milk)
• olive oil
• Cinnamon
• Cardamom (if you don't have it, you can skip it)
• Salt & Pepper 
  

First, Prepare:
*You are going to use about the same quantity of squash and potato. Don't forget that the inside of the squash yields less than the outside :) And if it's not exact, no big deal.

• Cut the squash in half, remove the seeds, and put it on a baking pan brushed with olive oil *leave the skin on, it's easier to take it off after roasting. 
• Sprinkle the squash lightly with cinnamon, cardamom, salt, & pepper and roast in the oven at 375 until the inside is tender- maybe 20 minutes

Next:

• In a large pot, saute about a 1/4-1/2  cup of chopped onion & 2-3 cloves of garlic for a couple minutes
• Peel & cut the potatoes in halves or fourths so they are 2-3 inches approx & add them to the pot
• Peels & cut the carrots and apple (if using) and add them to the pot as well
• Pour in enough veggie broth to cover everything plus an inch or so
• Bring to a boil & check for potato tenderness after about 10-15 minutes

Then:

• Remove the roasted squash from the oven and scoop out the squash from the skin (careful, it's hot); add it to the pot with everything else- it doesn't need to be pretty b/c you are going to puree it anyway
• Stir everything together and check for tenderness of all the veggies

Finally:

• With an immersion blender, puree everything together until creamy. If you don't have an immersion blender (like I don't) you can use a regular blender. Or, if you like it more chunky you can use a hand masher to mash everything together right in the pot (I've done this with other soups & it's great)
• Taste for flavor and consistency and add more broth and spices if desired

Enjoy