Pumpkin Soup
Country Style French Pumpkin Soup with Garlic Croutons
In France, pumpkins are considered vegetables and used in savory dishes only. The idea of sweet pumpkin recipes like pumpkin pie is considered strange by most French people. France is one of the few countries outside the United States where pumpkin soup is very popular and pumpkins are sold plentifully.
Pumpkin chunks are popular in many French pumpkin soup recipes, teamed with other winter vegetables, but creamy pumpkin soup and pumpkin au gratin are other French favorites, which rely solely on pumpkins for most of their flavor.
This French pumpkin soup recipe is deliberately simple and the pumpkin is paired with onion for a savory, delicious flavor. Salt, pepper, and nutmeg add a touch of flavor but the flavor of pure pumpkin really shines through, in this French pumpkin soup recipe. The garlic croutons are best made from day old French bread. You can either make them as the recipe says, or rub the raw garlic over the toasted bread for European style garlic croutons. Bon appétit!
Simple French Pumpkin Soup with Onion
Ingredients -
2 ¼ lbs pumpkin flesh, diced
For the Garlic Croutons:
1 loaf French bread
1 white onion, quartered
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon nutmeg
4 cups salted water
¾ cup light cream
2 cloves garlic
Preparation:
Put the onion and pumpkin in a bit soup pot with the water.
Cook slowly, letting it simmer for about 15 minutes.
You can use a pressure cooker or steamer to cook it faster if you have one.
Meanwhile, mince the garlic and mix it with half the olive oil.
Spread this mixture over the French bread slices and broil them until golden, then cut them into big or small squares.
Puree the onion and pumpkin with a hand blender until you have a smooth puree.
Add the cream and adjust the seasoning.
Stir in the rest of the olive oil and sprinkle the soup with the nutmeg.
Serve it with the garlic croutons scattered on top.
(Serves 4)
