Copyright (c) 2009 Christine Szalay Kudra
Pumpkin soup is as versatile as the pumpkin itself. Just like there are variations of many popular vegetable and meat dish there are all sorts of variations of pumpkin soup from all over the world and as you'll find when you try different combinations of these soups are as varied as the types of pumpkins. Pumpkin takes very well to a wide variety of diverse flavorings and ingredients. You'll find pumpkin soup recipes that feature pumpkin as the lead act as well as ones where it plays more of a supporting role in accompanying cast of other ingredients.
If you're like most people though, you think of pumpkin soup as very much a seasonal dish, appearing on the dinner table around the holidays, and disappearing shortly thereafter, not to be seen again until autumn's chill returns to fill the air. We are all familiar with the traditional classic pumpkin soup with its many familiar spices like clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and alike served piping hot with just a touch of cream swirled into it. This cold weather dish is common around fall but this delicious soup is wonderful no matter what time of year you wish to serve it hot or cold.
For something a little bit different, try a curried pumpkin soup. It's a little bit spicier than the traditional pumpkin soup you're used to from holiday dinners, but every bit as delicious. The spices used in these pumpkin soups include some, which strike a familiar note, and others, which lend a more exotic taste to the dish. A wonderful alternative during winter months pumpkin soup makes a nice change of pace from those bland everyday soups we get far too often.
Jamaican pumpkin soup recipes are also a good choice if you're looking for a soup, which is a little different from what you may be used to. Another good choice with a Caribbean flavor would be the verities that come from Jamaica. To the Jamaicans hard-shelled squashes and pumpkins are a main staple and loved the island over. These wonderful vegetables are made into a wide selection of soups all year. These soups often feature beef, noodles, and spices including the classic Jamaican combination of thyme, allspice, and habanero peppers.
If you have a dinner party coming up, a pumpkin soup served in individual pumpkin shells is always an impressive presentation. For this particular pumpkin soup recipe, you'll want to have several small pumpkins (at least as many as you'll have diners and probably a few more). The pumpkin makes a great serving dish after being hollowed out, fill it with your favorite pumpkin soup recipe, and is sure to impress your guest and family alike.
You can dress up pumpkin soup into something sophisticated by adding some grown-up ingredients like sherry (dry or sweet) and gruyere cheese; pumpkin works surprisingly well with this combination. The result is an incredibly delicious, silky smooth tasting soup, which will delight your family and friends and perhaps even make some believers out of people who were ambivalent to this vegetable before!
Whether curried, spicy, sweet or sophisticated, pumpkin soup recipes run the gamut of flavors and culinary influences, with a soup perfect for every palate. Pumpkin soup should not just be left to holidays such as Thanksgiving but enjoyed often. Try some variations on this versatile theme; after all, they are available year-round - and regardless of the season, this diverse vegetable should be a part of your culinary treasure chest year round.
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As the mom of four boys great food is a way of life and lots of it. You can easily make a
classic pumpkin soup from just a few simple ingredients. It is fast and easy to make this creamy gourmet soup that goes well with a full meal or can be served by itself. Garnish it with a dollop of sour cream and serve with linen napkins. For more info and recipes visit:
http://www.PumpkinSoup.org
