What You’ll Need:

• 1 large pumpkin
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 medium onions, diced small
• 1 Granny Smith apple [peeled and diced small]
• 2 teaspoons of oregano
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 2 lbs. of acorn squash seeded, peeled and chopped into 1/2 inch cubes
• 3 cups chicken broth (optional); substitute a vegetable broth if on vegan diet
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• pepper to taste
• 1 cup heavy cream
• chopped scallions for garnish

Step by Step:

• Remove pumpkin meat from pumpkin and discard seeds (or save them to roast).
• Put the pumpkin meat in a large bowl and set aside.
• Melt the butter and sauté the onions, apple and oregano with pumpkin pie spice for 7 – 10 minutes.
• Add the acorn squash and the pumpkin meat and sauté for another 5-10 minutes to ensure squash is softened.
• Stir in the stock (vegetable or chicken), along with the pepper and salt.
• Place on low heat for 20 – 25 minutes.
• When the squash begins to fall apart this is done.
• Using an immersion stick blender or food processor, blend until smooth.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• In the pumpkin shell, add the cream and the purée.
• Bake for 30 35 minutes, covering the top of the pumpkin with foil.
• When ready to serve, garnish with scallions and serve the soup right out of the top of the pumpkin.

Hint: for a nice twist, serve with cheddar cheese grated over it.

Fall Pumpkin Recipe by Rickey Esto