Pumpkin soup is delicious, isn't it?
Hello, everyone!
We've introduced several dishes for Halloween so far, and the third dish is soup!
As the weather turns colder, this dish is also perfect for warming up.
In this article, I'll comprehensively cover everything from the history of pumpkin soup to how to make it!
I'd be delighted if you could watch until the very end.
What is Pumpkin Soup?
Pumpkin soup is a soup dish made with pumpkin as its base and is enjoyed around the world.
It is especially popular as a staple home-cooked meal and restaurant menu item in Japan, the United States, and Europe.
The greatest feature of such pumpkin soup is the natural sweetness of the pumpkin itself.
Pumpkin is naturally sweet and mellow enough without adding sugar.
Therefore, in dishes featuring pumpkin as the main ingredient, you can also enjoy the natural sweetness of the ingredient itself.
Using Western pumpkins like “Ebisu pumpkin” or “Chestnut pumpkin” in particular yields a rich sweetness and_ deep, savory flavor.
If you prefer less sweetness, you can add consommé or bouillon to balance the umami flavor.
Additionally, the richness and smooth texture achieved by adding butter, cream, and milk are also essential.
This smoothness combines with the pumpkin's sweetness to create a rich, refined flavor.
The History of Pumpkin Soup
The origins of pumpkin soup date back to the Americas thousands of years before the Common Era.
Pumpkins are crops originally native to the Americas, cultivated in the Mesoamerican region.
People back then are said to have utilized pumpkins in various ways, such as roasting, boiling, and drying them to make powder.
Later, during the Age of Exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries, pumpkins were introduced to Europe.
Pumpkins gradually found their way onto dining tables due to their sweetness and high nutritional value.
And as it blended with European culinary traditions, pumpkin evolved into dishes like soups and_ stews.
By the 19th century, the name “pumpkin soup” began appearing in British and American cookbooks.
Around this time, the current style using consommé and cream began to take hold.
It was also around this time that it became widely enjoyed as a home-cooked dish.
Fun Facts and Interesting Stories About Pumpkin Soup
The taste varies depending on the type of pumpkin.
The flavor of pumpkin soup varies greatly depending on the type of pumpkin used.
Japan's “Ebisu” pumpkin boasts intense sweetness, while America's “Sugar Pumpkin” is light and pairs exceptionally well with spices.
It's fascinating how the sweetness and aroma of soups differ completely depending on the country's cuisine.
Pumpkin is the “world's most traveled vegetable”
Pumpkins originated in South America but spread worldwide, where they were adapted into soups in various countries.
In Europe, it's made with cream, while in Asia, it often includes coconut milk, among other variations.
Due to its diversity, it is sometimes called the “global soup.”
Actually, in America, it's an autumn tradition.
In the United States, pumpkin soup is a staple dish for Thanksgiving and Halloween.
It is cherished as a symbolic food celebrating the autumn harvest.
Alongside the pumpkin pie that appears around the same time, it is a quintessential taste of home cooking.
In France, it's called “Potage de Potiron.”
In France, pumpkin soup is called “potage de potiron.”
It is characterized by a rich style that uses butter and heavy cream.
The fact that pumpkin soup is used as an appetizer in high-end restaurants is due to this cultural influence.
Rich in beta-carotene and good for beauty
Pumpkin soup is rich in beta-carotene and vitamin E.
It has strong antioxidant properties and helps improve skin health and boost immunity.
Therefore, it's the perfect nourishing soup for the dry autumn and winter seasons.
How to Make Pumpkin Soup
Ingredients (Serves about 4)
- Pumpkin (raw/net weight) … Approximately 500 g
- Onion … 1 medium
- Garlic … 1 clove
- Broth (vegetable broth or chicken broth) … 500 ml
- Milk or heavy cream … 100–150 ml
- Butter … 10–15 g
- Salt … to taste
- Pepper … to taste
- Nutmeg (if available) … a pinch
- Olive oil (or salad oil) … a small amount (for stir-frying)
How to make them
- Preparation
Remove the skin and seeds from the pumpkin, then cut it into bite-sized pieces.
Slice the onion thinly and mince the garlic. - Stir-fry
Melt butter (or olive oil) in a pot over heat, then sauté the onion until softened.
Next, add the garlic and sauté lightly until fragrant. - Boil
Add the pumpkin and broth (soup stock), then simmer until the pumpkin is tender (about 10 to 15 minutes, until a knife slides easily through the flesh). - Pureeing (stirring)
Turn off the heat and blend with a hand blender or mixer until smooth. - Finishing
Return the soup to the pot, add milk or heavy cream, and warm it through. Be careful not to bring it to a boil.
Season with salt and pepper, and add a pinch of nutmeg to enhance the flavor. - Plating and garnishing (optional)
Spoon into bowls, pipe a small amount of whipped cream on top, sprinkle with roasted pumpkin seeds, and garnish with finely chopped herbs (such as chives or parsley).
Key Points and Tips
- Using broth (stock) adds umami and creates a rich, deep flavor.
- Adding milk or heavy cream last brings out a mellow flavor.
- Adding a small amount of nutmeg and white pepper enhances the pumpkin's natural sweetness.
- After stirring, heat over high heat without bringing to a boil. This is because cream and dairy products are prone to separating.
- Using canned pumpkin puree saves time. In that case, adjust the cooking time accordingly, such as reducing the simmering time.
Summary
How was it?
This time, we introduced pumpkin soup.
Personally, it's a dish I really like, and I was surprised to learn that its origins as an appetizer are French.
Warm soup is perfect for the coming season, but cold soups in summer are surprisingly delicious too!
Now, this pumpkin soup is served everywhere in Japan, isn't it?
I think it's often served at restaurants and such.
From now on, however, Halloween and winter will be the seasons when this soup really shines.
You can make it using recipes like the ones introduced here, or simply enjoy it by pouring hot water over instant tea.
Preparing something at home will make for a delicious and enjoyable time, don't you think?
Thank you for watching until the very end!
This site features recipes perfect for autumn and Halloween, including this pumpkin pie.
If you'd like, please check out our other articles too!
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